Thousands of U.S. workers at DHL Express have voted to authorize a strike if the company and the union fail to reach a new labor agreement before the current contract expires on March 31.
The workers are represented by the Teamsters, which said its members approved the strike authorization by an overwhelming margin. The union said the vote reflects growing frustration among workers as negotiations continue.
The contract covers roughly 6,000 DHL employees across the United States, including drivers and warehouse workers. They are represented by 26 Teamsters local unions in 16 states.
“Our members will not work a day past the expiration of our current agreement,” the Teamsters said in a statement announcing the strike authorization.
Union leaders say the negotiations are focused on wages, benefits, and working conditions. The union is also pushing for stronger protections around subcontracting and job security.
Negotiations between DHL and the Teamsters are ongoing. The strike authorization does not guarantee a walkout, but it gives union leadership the authority to call a strike if a deal is not reached before the deadline.
A work stoppage could disrupt portions of DHL’s U.S. parcel network if it were to occur. DHL Express handles international and time-sensitive shipments for businesses and consumers, with major operations centered around its air hub in northern Kentucky and other regional facilities.
The Teamsters previously staged a strike at DHL’s global air hub in northern Kentucky in 2023 during earlier labor tensions before the sides ultimately reached an agreement.
For now, both sides remain at the bargaining table. DHL has not publicly commented on the strike authorization.
