Company ‘using the current crisis as an opportunity to maximise profits'
GMB Union, which represents thousands of DHL drivers, says DHL are ‘flaunting’ Government guidelines on COVID-19 in Yorkshire.
DHL drivers have contacted the Union to say they don’t have access to personal protective equipment, will only receive statutory sick pay for the first three days of Covid-19 related illness and for those that qualify, company sick pay will be time limited.
Some workers have been told they will have to take annual leave when self-isolating or take unpaid leave and any banked hours will need to be repaid at a later date.
Couriers who are working are receiving no extra pay despite their mammoth effort to keep the business operating whilst many of their colleagues are being kept at home.
GMB Union is calling on DHL to provide:
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risk assessments for all deliveries
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social distancing at every DHL site
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full sick pay from day one
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full pay for those that cannot work because they are high risk or because they need to look after dependants due to the Covid-19 crisis
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full provision of PPE for all front-line workers
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pay recognition for all frontline delivery drivers
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access to the Government’s furlough scheme to ensure workers jobs are protected with DHL topping up pay the 20%.
Andrew Aldwinkle, GMB Organiser, said
“Whilst other workers are expected to stay at home, including DHL managers, couriers in Bradford have been carrying on regardless, putting themselves and their loved ones at increased risk of contracting Covid-19.
“We know that the general public appreciate the work our members are doing but it is clear DHL has little or no regard for the safety and wellbeing of their workers.
“The company appears to be using the current crisis as an opportunity to maximise profits with a blatant disregard of its employees, potentially putting both them and their loved ones at risk.”
“GMB Union are asking DHL, in this extraordinary moment in history, to step up to the plate and demonstrate just how much it appreciates the work that is being carried out by its employees.
