DHL

DHL Protocol

etheridge_rennie@itf.org.uk — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 14:50:17 +0000

DHL Protocol etheridge_renn… 03 Jun 2025

The DHL Protocol covers all transport and logistics workers at DHL globally. This page will help you understand what the DHL Protocol is, how to use it, and why it’s a vital tool for organising and bargaining.

The Protocol is a set of key principles agreed by the DHL Group, the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and UNI Global Union (UNI). It establishes the global relationship between the three parties and serves as a framework for navigating and resolving industrial issues with DHL at a global level. The Protocol was first signed in July 2016 and has since been renewed in 2019, 2022 and 2024.

DHL commits to the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. In particular, DHL acknowledges the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Therefore, the Protocol is an important tool for strengthening local dialogue between DHL management and unions around the world.

At the ITF Congress in Marrakech in October 2024, the ITF adopted an ambitious Supply Chain Accountability Programme, which provides guidance for governments, companies, investors and other stakeholders looking to meaningfully engage with transport unions to check and improve standards in their supply chains. In our work to implement the Protocol with our affiliated unions, we use these principles to strengthen DHL's HRDD processes at all levels.

Our priority is to make the Protocol work for our affiliated unions and their members working at DHL by:

> Improving the rights, safety and standards for all DHL workers

> Supporting affiliated unions in their organising and bargaining campaigns at DHL

> Enforcing the DHL's human rights due diligence responsibilities globally

Unions play a key role in enforcing the Protocol and holding DHL accountable for ensuring decent standards, pay and conditions for all its workers, whether directly employed or working in its supply chain.

If your union represents DHL workers or you would like more information about the DHL Protocol, please get in touch at DHLProtocolSupport@itf.org.uk or use the form to sign up.

DHL

global supply chains

supply chain

Unifor workers in Canada ratify new CBA with DHL Express, ending labour dispute

CommsLondon — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:19:01 +0000

Unifor workers in Canada ratify new CBA with DHL Express, ending labour dispute

Unifor members at DHL Express in Canada have voted to end a major labour dispute, reaching a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that delivers substantial gains for workers, including a 15.75% wage increase across the duration of the agreement.

“This is a historic dispute in our union’s books because we were the test case for the new anti-scab legislation and our union and members stood tall, held strong, and the end result is we got a fair collective agreement,” said Unifor National President, Lana Payne.

The four-year agreement with DHL Express was ratified by 74% of Unifor’s members on 28 June 2025, officially ending a lockout and strike that had lasted nearly three weeks at DHL Express locations across Canada. The strike highlighted the importance of the federal anti-scab legislation that Unifor had fought hard for, and which came into effect during this dispute.

The new contract includes a 15.75% wage increase throughout its duration, a new payment structure for owner-operators, pension increases for hourly workers, and a new pension scheme for owner-operators. There are also increases to short- and long-term disability payments, a new mental health benefit, increases to severance and wage adjustments, as well as important language around AI, robotics and automation, and improved work-from-home provisions.

Unifor represents over 2,100 DHL Express Canada workers, including truck drivers, couriers, warehouse workers, and clerical staff across the country.

“Congratulations to Unifor and its members on securing this CBA,” said ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton. “This is a significant win for all DHL employees in Canada and sets a precedent for ongoing negotiations with DHL worldwide. We commend the Unifor members who showed unwavering solidarity for almost three weeks. In some cases, they worked in record-breaking temperatures, yet they kept up their morale day after day.”

The ITF is party to an OECD Protocol with DHL Group and UNI Global Union. It establishes the global relationship between the three parties and serves as a framework for navigating and resolving industrial issues with DHL at a global level. The Protocol was first signed in July 2016 and most recently renewed in December 2024. The ITF’s priority is to implement the Protocol to improve outcomes for our affiliates and their members working at DHL and across its supply chain, and to enhance the company’s accountability for meeting its commitments.

CommsLondon 08 Jul 2025

DHL Express workers in Türkiye make gains with new CBA

Ryan_H — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:42:02 +0000

DHL Express workers in Türkiye make gains with new CBA

ITF affiliate TÜMTİS has negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with DHL Express

“We are very proud of what we were able to achieve in these negotiations thanks to the backing of our members and the support of the ITF,” said TÜMTİS President Kenan Öztürk.

According to the terms of the two-year agreement, wages of union members will increase by 30% retroactive to January 2025, with a further 14.38% increase in April 2025. Wages in 2026 will increase in line with the annual inflation rate.

In addition, the new CBA includes provisions for an annual bonus, a food allowance, overtime pay, holiday pay, enhanced retirement contributions, and a range of social benefits including marriage assistance and a birth allowance.

The CBA was signed on 3 March following a series of negotiations between the union and the employer. Nearly 600 workers stand to benefit from this new agreement.

TÜMTİS members provided direction via membership meetings including gatherings held in workplaces across the country. An overwhelming majority of members endorsed the proposed agreement at a membership meeting on 2 March.

“Congratulations to TÜMTİS and its members on securing this new CBA. This is a great win for all DHL workers in Türkiye and shows the importance of organising workers in the transport and logistics sector globally,” said ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton.

“The ITF is committed to improving the rights, safety and standards for all workers. We will continue to support our affiliates in their organising and bargaining campaigns. Through our joint efforts we are strengthening human rights due diligence processes globally.”

“Every transport worker has the right to expect a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s pay and to return home safe at the end of their shift,” added Cotton. “We will continue to engage with major multinational companies in order to make this a reality.”

The ITF is party to an OECD Protocol with the DHL Group and UNI Global Union. The OECD protocol – first signed in 2016 and most recently renewed in December 2024 – outlines a shared commitment to freedom of association, effective social dialogue, and regular engagement on employment and industrial relations issues.

END

Media contact: media@itf.org.uk

Ryan_H 11 Mar 2025

DHL Group, ITF and UNI adopt new OECD Protocol and initiate annual regional dialogue meetings for the first time

Rosalyn Smith — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:19:55 +0000

DHL Group, ITF and UNI adopt new OECD Protocol and initiate annual regional dialogue meetings for the first time

Bonn, December 2024: DHL Group (DHL) and the Global Union Federations, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and UNI Global Union (UNI), have today adopted a new OECD Protocol.

Having engaged in constructive dialogue on employment and working relationships for many years, the parties have agreed to continue working closely together. For the first time, they have agreed to hold additional regional dialogue meetings annually, to reinforce the new protocol and strengthen their relationship.

The revised protocol was approved by all parties following the annual high-level meeting between ITF’s and UNI’s General Secretaries and the Board Member for Human Resources at DHL Group, held in August 2024. It was then signed by the German National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on 2 December 2024 in Berlin.

To reinforce the protocol, in 2024, the Global Union Federations and DHL developed a joint approach to organise one annual regional dialogue meeting for the first time, which aims at facilitating information exchange between ITF, UNI and DHL and fostering good relationships.

The German National Contact Point welcomed the progress made between all three parties since the first OECD Protocol was signed in 2016.

Notes

DHL Group is the world’s leading logistics company. The Group connects people and markets and is an enabler of global trade. It aspires to be the first choice for customers, employees, investors and green logistics worldwide. To this end, DHL Group is focusing on accelerating sustainable growth in its profitable core logistics businesses and Group growth initiatives. The Group contributes to the world through sustainable business practices, corporate citizenship, and environmental activities. By the year 2050, DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics.

DHL Group is home to two strong brands: DHL offers a comprehensive range of parcel, express, freight transport, and supply chain management services as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post is the largest postal service provider in Europe and the market leader in the German mail market. DHL Group employs approximately 594,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of approximately 81.8 billion Euros in 2023.

The logistics company for the world.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a democratic, affiliate-led federation of transport workers’ unions recognised as the world’s leading transport authority. We fight passionately to improve working lives, connecting trade unions and workers’ networks from 147 countries to secure rights, equality and justice for their members. We are the voice of the 16 million women and men who move the world.

Representing 20 million workers in 150 countries, UNI Global Union builds power and lifts standards in the services sectors-including post and logistics--through strong unions and effective collective bargaining. We are united for a sustainable and inclusive global economy, for democracy built upon a foundation of social and economic justice and for decent work for all.

Rosalyn Smith 04 Dec 2024

DHL

OECD

Europe

DHL Logistics workers in Turkey benefit from significant agreement

Sian Manaz — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:46:36 +0000

DHL Logistics workers in Turkey benefit from significant agreement

Turkish union Tümtis has successfully negotiated a landmark outcome for its members with DHL Logistics Services.

The agreement achieved by the ITF affiliate will mean wage increases of between 73% and 85%, and an increase in the number of bonuses the workers get, with unionised workers now having the right to four bonuses per year for the first time in the largely unorganised logistics sector in Turkey.

The salary increase reflects the rampant inflation in Turkey which stood at nearly 65% in December 2023.

ITF’s Secretary of Inland Transport, Noel Coard offered his congratulations to Tümtis and its members at DHL Logistics Services: “Having successfully renegotiated this Collective Bargaining Agreement for the sixth time shows Tümtis’ dedication to its members and the faith and support the members have in the union’s leadership.”

“This agreement shows all workers the benefit of a unionised workplace, and how collectively we can work together to raise standards across the entire transport sector,” he added.

Other significant wins in the agreement include:

A 100% increase in social benefits, including allowance for fuel, childbirth, death, marriage, and education
An increase in holiday bonuses, with a 134% bonus for Ramadan
A 129% increase in meal allowance
An increase in weekday overtime payments of 70%
An additional day’s annual leave.

88% of Tümtis’ members backed the agreement with DHL Logistics, which was signed on 2 February 2024.

Tümtis said the union will continue to fight to protect and improve the rights and interests of transport and logistics workers, and called on all workers who work for extended periods in insecure conditions denied overtime payment to immediately organise in a union.

More information on the agreement, and what it covers can be found on the Tümtis website.

Sian Manaz 07 Feb 2024

ITF and UNI bolster agreement with DPDHL to include due diligence and human rights in its supply chain

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 10:42:25 +0000

ITF and UNI bolster agreement with DPDHL to include due diligence and human rights in its supply chain

The Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) Group, the ITF and UNI Global Union have reviewed and strengthened their joint OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Protocol, originally signed in 2019.

Under the new agreement, signed by the German National Contact Point for the OECD on 25 July, DPDHL, ITF and UNI commit to continuous, constructive dialogue on employment and working relationships. DPDHL further agreed to continue engaging meaningfully with UNI and ITF on ways to enhance procedures to identify, prevent, mitigate and remedy labour and human rights violations in its supply chain.

Joint work plan

To enhance the scope of the dialogue, the three parties agree on a joint work plan for the first time. It focuses on topics of common interest and on future challenges. In terms of topics, in depth discussions will take place at the regular meetings on the following seven thematic areas listed in DPDHL’s Human Rights Policy Statement: child labour, diversity and Inclusion, working conditions, data privacy, forced labour, freedom of association and collective bargaining and environment.

The first OECD protocol between the parties was signed in 2016 and renewed in 2019.

UNI General Secretary Christy Hoffman, said:

“We welcome this new protocol which includes UNI and ITF in DPDHL’s due diligence processes and moves our cooperation forward from problem solving to prevention. Our previous agreements with DPDHL, which endorsed the right to freedom of association, strengthened union building worldwide, particularly in countries in Africa, where many new union members are now covered by a collective agreement. We hope that this latest protocol will lead to even better conditions for workers at DHL throughout its supply chain.”

ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton, said:

“We believe that workers deserve a life of respect, dignity and a fair share of the wealth that they create. The longstanding relationship between DPDHL and the ITF and UNI now steps into another phase where we must work together to bolster workers’ voices and meaningfully impact their jobs. The renewal of this partnership progresses the values of supply chains accountability, and we look forward to joining forces and continuing working together on solutions to issues and future challenges that the transport industry must tackle, like the decarbonisation of our global economy.”

“Thanks to the global protocol, we know that our demands reach the top-level of management and we are able to rectify the issues that workers face,” said a worker and union representative at DHL Guinea.

The parties have agreed to maintain their productive talks and will hold regular meetings at the working level three times a year. The General Secretaries of the ITF and UNI will continue to meet at least once a year with the Board Member for Human Resources at DPDHL Group to engage in dialogue regarding key topics as agreed.

Anonymous (not verified) 11 Aug 2022

Deutsche Post DHL Group adopts a new OECD Protocol together with the global union federations ITF and UNI and presents a joint work plan for the first time

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 10:35:44 +0000

Deutsche Post DHL Group adopts a new OECD Protocol together with the global union federations ITF and UNI and presents a joint work plan for the first time

Bonn, August 9, 2022: The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), UNI Global Union (UNI) and Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) Group have reviewed and strengthened their joint OECD Protocol, signed in 2019. By that agreement all signatories commit to continuous, constructive dialogue on employment and working relationships over the next three years.

During the annual meeting between the General Secretaries of the ITF and UNI with the Board Member for Human Resources at DPDHL Group, the revised agreement was approved by all parties and then signed by the German National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises on July 25, 2022 in Berlin.

To reinforce the agreement, in 2022, the unions and DPDHL developed a joint work plan for the first time, which focuses on issues of common interest such as the implementation of impending German Supply Chain Due Diligence law which pertains to matters such as labor and human rights. The German National Contact Point welcomed the progress made in the relations between the parties.

Since the first OECD Protocol was signed in 2016 under the auspices of the German National Contact Point, the relations between all parties have developed positively and strengthened over the years. The 2016 agreement was renewed in 2019.

The participants committed to continue their productive talks. Regular meetings at the working level will take place three times a year, and the General Secretaries of the ITF and UNI will continue to meet at least once a year with the Board Member for HR at DPDHL Group to engage in an exchange of views.

– End –

Media Contact:

Deutsche Post DHL Group

Dirk Klasen: pressestelle@dpdhl.com

International Transport Workers’ Federation

Luke Menzies: media@itf.org.uk

UNI Global Union

Matthew Painter: communications@uniglobalunion.org

admin 09 Aug 2022

Joint press statement on the constructive working relationship established in Latin America between the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), UNI Global Union and Deutsche Post DHL Group

Natalie — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 11:57:57 +0000

Joint press statement on the constructive working relationship established in Latin America between the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), UNI Global Union and Deutsche Post DHL Group

At a recent meeting in Bogota, Colombia in November 2019 representatives from the parties reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration and continued dialogue.

The DHL/ITF LATAM Network’s primary aim is to foster cooperation and dialogue between DHL and the ITF and its affiliates across the region. After an initial meeting between ITF and DHL representatives in Panama in October 2016, it was formally established in April 2018. Since then, it has provided a platform for regular discussions on various topics of interest between the parties, helping to build mutual trust and fostering overall positive relationships across the whole region.

The recent announcements on labour legislation changes in Brazil and Mexico will now provide opportunities for a continuous constructive engagement between the parties based on experiences in the other countries in the region.

ITF general secretary Steve Cotton discusses the successful renewal of the DHL Protocol:

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Natalie 17 Dec 2019

Joint statement: the International Transport Workers' Federation, Deutsche Post DHL Group and UNI Global Union agree to continue dialogue under new OECD protocol

andy_k-g — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 08:07:33 +0000

Joint statement: the International Transport Workers' Federation, Deutsche Post DHL Group and UNI Global Union agree to continue dialogue under new OECD protocol

Bonn – 2 Dec 2019: Representatives from global union federations, ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) and UNI (UNI Global Union), together with Deutsche Post DHL Group reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue under the umbrella of the new OECD protocol in 2020.

The DPDHL Group, ITF and UNI believe that being under the auspices of the national contact point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises has provided an exceptional framework to build mutual trust and foster positive relationships over the years.

Looking ahead to the 2020 agenda, the parties agreed to continue their focused discussions. At least once a year, the general secretaries from ITF and UNI, along with DPDHL Group’s corporate board member for human resources attend the dialogue meeting exchanging their views.

The collaboration between all parties has been significant in 2019 and relationships continue to develop and strengthen. In addition to the regular dialogue between the parties, several workshops were conducted to evolve the existing OECD protocol and include reference to potential future challenges in employee relations.

On 25 November 2019, the national contact point signed the new OECD protocol in the presence of representatives from all parties in Berlin.

andy_k-g 02 Dec 2019

Turkish union wins important agreement with DHL Express

admin — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 14:49:46 +0000

Turkish union wins important agreement with DHL Express

Stephen Cotton, ITF general secretary, said:

Signing the CLA today is a big achievement that Tümtis has fought hard to get. The acknowledgement of trade union rights for the workers comes on the back of a solidarity campaign supported by the ITF’s 20 million transport workers around the world. We look forward to DHL Express continuing the genuine dialogue with the union in the workplace.”

Eduardo Chagas, general secretary of the ETF, praised Turkish workers and their unions:

Workers at DHL Express Turkey have shown remarkable resolve and solidarity with their colleagues dismissed for union activity. Turkey is one of Europe’s most challenging environments for unions, and I am always so inspired by the determination and resilience of our affiliate union Tümtis. The whole ETF family is pleased that this long, brave struggle has achieved an agreement which will bring better working conditions.”

The negotiations that resulted in the (CLA) started after a Turkish court ruled in June last year that ITF affiliate Tümtis does represent workers at DHL Express.

END

For background to the story follow these links to the ITF website:

http://www.itfglobal.org/en/news-events/press-releases/2018/july/joint-statement-by-the-itf-and-dhl-dhl-turkey-and-tuemtis-start-negotiations/

http://www.itfglobal.org/en/news-events/news/2018/july/itf-and-etf-statement-this-is-justice-for-dhl-workers-in-turkey/

admin 24 Jan 2019

DHL

DHL Protocol

Unifor workers in Canada ratify new CBA with DHL Express, ending labour dispute

DHL Express workers in Türkiye make gains with new CBA

DHL Group, ITF and UNI adopt new OECD Protocol and initiate annual regional dialogue meetings for the first time

DHL Logistics workers in Turkey benefit from significant agreement

ITF and UNI bolster agreement with DPDHL to include due diligence and human rights in its supply chain

Deutsche Post DHL Group adopts a new OECD Protocol together with the global union federations ITF and UNI and presents a joint work plan for the first time

Joint press statement on the constructive working relationship established in Latin America between the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), UNI Global Union and Deutsche Post DHL Group

Joint statement: the International Transport Workers' Federation, Deutsche Post DHL Group and UNI Global Union agree to continue dialogue under new OECD protocol

Joint statement by the ITF, UNI and Deutsche Post DHL Group

DHL workers’ right 'to a collective voice at work’ guaranteed in ground-breaking protocol

Turkish union wins important agreement with DHL Express

Joint statement by the ITF and DHL: DHL Turkey and Tümtis start negotiations

ITF and ETF statement: ‘This is justice for DHL workers in Turkey’