Around 300 DHL drivers based at Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull are to be balloted for strike action over pay, union Unite announced today (5 February).
The union said the dispute centres around DHL’s failure to put forward a pay offer for 2026, leaving the DHL drivers with no annual pay rise - which is usually awarded every January.
Now the 300 staff are preparing to vote in a ballot for strike action, which will open on 18 February and close on 11 March.
Unite is warning that industrial action would cause severe disruption to JLR’s Solihull operations.
Any strike action will be particularly unwelcome at JLR Solihull, which has only recently got back on track following a major cyber attack in August last year, which halted production, with normal operations only resuming in October 2025.
JLR’s Solihull manufacturing plant is a critical hub for Range Rover production and the primary production site for the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “DHL is a hugely profitable company so there is no excuse for its failure to put forward a fair offer.
“These workers have Unite’s total support in demanding DHL table an acceptable offer.”
Unite regional officer Melvyn Palmer said: “DHL will be entirely responsible for any disruption caused to JLR if it continues to put off submitting a fair pay offer.
“Industrial action can be avoided but that will require DHL tabling a deal our members can accept.”
DHL Supply Chain said the company is in “constructive dialogue” with staff and “committed to reaching a solution that recognises the value of our colleagues, while safeguarding the long-term competitiveness of the operation.”
MT’s request for comment from JLR Solihull has yet to receive a response.
