Unifor members rallied at DHL locations across Canada on Aug. 27, urging the transport industry and federal government to adopt “Safe Rates” legislation aimed at improving working conditions and road safety.
The rallies — held in Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec — are Unifor’s way of supporting the International Transport Federation’s Safe Rates Global Action Week, which emphasizes that fair compensation is crucial to reducing accidents and protecting transport workers, particularly in the trucking and courier industries.
DHL and DHL-owned Loomis locations were targeted for the rallies after the companies shortened the routes of their employees last year, causing some owner-operator members to lose up to 50% of wages, according to a news release.
Unifor is urging the Canadian government and transport industry to adopt “Safe Rates” legislation, establish fair pricing for transport services, ensure transparency in rate setting and working conditions, enforce regulations through collective agreements, and expand trade union rights across the sector. The union is also calling for the ratification of International Labor Organization guidelines on promoting decent work and road safety.
“In an economy dependent on transport workers, protecting vulnerable workers in the road transportation sectors, particularly in the trucking and courier industries, is essential,” said Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, in the release. “Our union supports this international campaign because workers’ rights are international, and we’re sending a message to employers that they need to treat their workforce with respect with good jobs and fair pay.”
“Having safe roads means ensuring sufficient levels of investment in the transport infrastructure, the vehicles, and wage for the operator,” added Unifor national secretary-treasurer Len Poirier. “Drivers need to be able to focus on the road safely and not constantly feel anxiety wondering if they can make ends meet while we’re surviving through an affordability crisis. Safe rates take a lot of that pressure off their shoulders, but we need buy-in from both government and the industry.”
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