DHL Aviation workers at the UK's East Midlands Airport will follow their initial ten day strike (beginning February 9) with a further 14 days of action. DHL's union, Unite, confirmed the escalation, which will involve 180 of its members.
The escalation is a result of DHL not making an improved pay offer to resolve the dispute. The company had been prepared to offer a 9.8% pay increase, but Unite said in a statement that it is ""in effect a real-terms pay cut.""
""DHL Aviation’s lack of accountability and unwillingness to engage has led to this escalation in industrial action,"" said Unite regional officer Melanie Todner. ""The disruption that is bound to follow is entirely a result of DHL's actions.""
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ""DHL is a multi-million-pound company. It can fully afford to dramatically improve its pay offer and the behaviour in failing to address our member concerns.""
A spokesperson for DHL Aviation UK said: ""We are disappointed that Unite and its members are undertaking industrial action at our East Midlands Airport operation. Contingency planning is in place to ensure service is maintained for our customers.”
UK DHL workers strike extended by 14 days
