Just days after 300 logistics workers at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull site voted in favour of industrial action, 300 DHL HGV drivers working on the JLR contract across the Solihull, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Widnes sites are preparing to be balloted for strike action over pay.
The dispute, which threatens to seriously disrupt the manufacturer’s operations, centres around DHL’s failure to put forward a pay offer for 2026 for the logistics workers and HGV drivers, involved in delivering parts and cars to and from JLR’s West Midlands and North West operations.
The absence of a pay offer from JLR means that the annual pay rise for DHL workers, which is supposed to be implemented every January, has not gone ahead.
The ballot for the HGV drivers closes on 13 Apri and the Solihull logistics workers will announce strike dates in the coming days, union Unite said this week.
Unite, which is representing the JLR workers, is warning that industrial action would cause “severe disruption” to JLR’s UK 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.
The Wolverhampton site produces Ingenium engines and is transitioning to electric drive units and battery packs. JLR’s Birmingham site at Castle Bromwich is transitioning from sedan production to electric vehicle bodywork stamping, whilst Widnes acts as a key logistical and manufacturing support facility.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “DHL is an extremely profitable company, so there is no justification for its failure to present a fair offer.
“These workers have Unite’s full backing in ensuring DHL put forward an acceptable deal.”
Unite regional officer Melvyn Palmer said: “DHL will be fully accountable for any disruption to JLR if it continues delaying a fair pay offer.
“Industrial action can still be avoided, but that will require DHL to present a deal our members are willing to accept.”
A DHL Supply Chain spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite the Union has announced its intention to ballot HGV drivers on one of our automotive contracts, and we regret that Unite members based at our Logistics Operation Centre in Solihull have voted in favour of industrial action.
“We remain open to constructive discussions and are committed to reaching a resolution for all parties that recognises the contribution of our colleagues while protecting the long-term competitiveness of the operation.”
