DHL workers to press on with strike at Jaguar Land Rover

WORKERS employed by DHL at Jaguar Land Rover’s plants in Birmingham and Solihull have reaffirmed their commitment to strike action after a final pay offer was rejected by 96 per cent.

Unite is now going ahead with a postal ballot so it can legally carry out industrial action.

It comes as more downtime is expected across West Midlands sites as an issue with semi-conductors impacts production.

In an update to members, the Unite union said workers had voted overwhelmingly to reject the pay offer and said it would press on with a postal ballot which could eventually see staff walk out.

The memo said a timeline would be shared in the coming days and thanked members for their “stoic support”.

It said: “Unfortunately our members are now facing a real threat of being laid off with no pay. Now that the Government furlough scheme has ended and the semi-conductor issue is still affecting production, more downtime is already planned across the sites.

“DHL/JLR have made it clear that any new Banked Hours proposal will only be offered on acceptance of their derisory pay offer that our members have rejected.

“Despite clearly having the ability to protect their employees’ income, DHL/JLR have made it clear that there will be no pay for our members for upcoming lay-offs.

“Your negotiating committee have tried in vain with DHL/JLR to find even a temporary resolution that would avoid this draconian position which is nothing short of industrial blackmail.”

Unite national officer Matt Draper later told the Mail: “DHL is trying to force our members into accepting an agreement that marries any pay offer with a one-size-fits-all banked hours scheme.”

A Jaguar Land Rover spokesman sought to make it clear that while DHL workers operated at their plants, it was exclusively a DHL issue and added: “We encourage both DHL and its Unite members to reach an agreement.”

A DHL spokesman said: “Following constructive talks with Unite in recent weeks, during which we presented our comprehensive pay proposals, we are disappointed that the union and its members are balloting on industrial action.

“We look forward to further talks to reach a satisfactory outcome for all parties, but contingency plans are being drawn up to minimise disruption should the action go ahead.”