Hundreds of DHL workers at Jaguar Land Rover sites vote for strikes

DHL say they are committed to resolving the dispute affecting several sites, including in Widnes

Hundreds of DHL workers based at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) sites across the UK have backed strike action as a dispute over pay continues to escalate. The trade union Unite said DHL logistics workers at JLR in Solihull in the West Midlands will begin indefinite strike action over pay at one minute past midnight on May 7.

More than 300 DHL HGV drivers working on the JLR contract in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Widnes, close to the carmaker’s huge Halewood plant, have also voted in favour of strike action, with dates yet to be announced.

Unite argue that the logistics workers and HGV drivers, involved in delivering parts and cars to and from JLR’s West Midlands and North West operations, are “angry at an unacceptable three per cent pay offer for 2026”.

The union claims DHL’s offer is a real terms wage cut, with the RPI rate of inflation standing at 3.6 per cent, despite the company recently announcing operating profits of 6.1bn euros for 2025.

DHL meanwhile say they “regret” that strike action has been backed but are committed to finding a resolution. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “DHL is hugely profitable – it can more than afford to put forward an acceptable pay offer and that is what needs to happen.

“Unite always defends our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and DHL’s JLR workforce have their union’s full backing in taking strike action for a fair pay rise.”

DHL JLR drivers have agreed to meet with the company for further talks under the auspices of the conciliation service Acas. If an acceptable offer is not put forward, strike action will be scheduled.

Unite regional officer Melvyn Palmer said: “JLR will not be happy that its operations are facing severe disruption because DHL is refusing to put forward a fair pay offer out of greed. Strike action can still be avoided but that will require DHL tabling a deal our members can accept.”

A DHL Supply Chain spokesperson told the ECHO: “We regret that Unite members based at one of our automotive transport contracts have voted in favour of industrial action.

“We remain open to constructive discussions and are committed to reaching a resolution for all parties that recognises the contribution of our colleagues while protecting the long-term competitiveness of the operation.”

JLR declined to comment when approached by the ECHO.