DHL Express Canada workers have ratified a new collective bargaining deal, effectively bringing a three-week work stoppage to a close.

In a June 28 news release, trade union Unifor — which represents 2,100 DHL Express Canada drivers, couriers and warehouse workers — said that 72% of its members have approved a new four-year contract. The agreement includes a 15.75% wage increase over the life of the deal, pension increases for hourly workers, a new pension for owner-operators, increases to short and long-term disability payments, a bump in severance pay, and new language surrounding the use of artificial intelligence and automated technology.

"Our union and members stood tall and held strong, and the end result was a fair collective agreement that addresses the needs of DHL workers across all job classifications," Unifor's bargaining committee said.

DHL Express Canada workers had been locked out just after midnight on June 8, and went on strikes hours later after failing to make enough progress on a new contract. On June 20, DHL Express Canada suspended delivery services across the country, as new federal legislation banning the use of replacement workers during a strike or lockout came into effect. Unifor says that its members will return to work now that the contract has been ratified, but did not specify when exactly what would be.