DHL strike brings express deliveries to a standstill: what you need to know about today's action

If you were waiting on a pressing delivery this morning, chances are it didn't show up. The DHL strike that kicked off today has brought express services in large parts of the country to a halt. I walked past the depot in Amsterdam-Noord this morning and saw dozens of vans sitting idle, keys still in the ignition. Drivers were outside with coffees and an FNV union flag. It's not the first time, but this action feels more serious than the last.

Why are they walking off the job now?

Negotiations for a new enterprise agreement have completely hit a wall. The unions, particularly the FNV, are demanding a significant pay rise and better working conditions. The workload is incredibly high, especially in the express division. Everyone wants their parcel yesterday, but workers aren't seeing that reflected in their pay packets. It's a classic industrial dispute, but patience has worn thin. DHL itself claims to be surprised by the action, but anyone who's been following the news over the past few weeks could see this was coming.

Who is being hit hardest?

The interesting thing is that you, as an individual, might not notice it much. The strike is primarily targeting express delivery services for businesses. Think labs that need to send blood samples, or online shops promising next-day delivery. They're the ones left in the lurch today. For regular parcels that can go with standard post, they're scrambling behind the scenes, but we won't escape it entirely. A quick DHL strike guide for business owners: check this morning if your deliveries have been scaled back, or better yet, give your contact person a call. Customer service often knows more than the app.

• Businesses with urgent shipments: biggest impact, many promises won't be kept today.
• Individuals: possible delays for parcels routed through the express network, but standard letterbox post is running as usual.
• DHL workers: they're out on the picket line, but they're copping it sweet; the action has strong backing.

How long is this set to go on?

That's the million-dollar question. The action is announced for today, but if enterprise agreement negotiations aren't resumed soon, more days could easily follow. I'm hearing from an insider that no new talks are scheduled for tomorrow yet. That means we'll have to take it day by day. For anyone looking for a DHL strike update on the last few hours: turnout was high, especially in the major cities, and the mood is determined. This isn't a wildcat strike; it's organised and backed by the union.

My advice? If you're expecting something critical today, have a look and see if you can track your shipment. Often you can tell via track & trace if the parcel is stuck at the sorting centre. And don't give the driver a hard time – they'll be back at your door soon enough, they just want a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. I'll keep you posted as soon as there's any movement in the dispute. Want to know how to use DHL strike info to plan your day? Check your track & trace and brace for delays. For now: patience is a virtue.