DLR 48-hour strike to hit commuters next week
Some Londoners are set for two days of transport chaos after RMT members on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) voted for strike action.
DLR workers voted to go on a 48-hour strike because of a dispute over pay and conditions. RMT members will walk out at 4am on 28 January.
The union's general secretary, Mick Cash, said:
Following the feedback from well-attended Branch meetings and the ballot result, the Company should be under no illusions about RMT's members determination to fight against detrimental changes to terms and conditions.
These include secondments without members’ consent or agreement, new and inferior policies on Maternity & Paternity leave, longer waiting period for entitlement to full sick pay and a failure by the Company to deal with a list of outstanding health & safety issues as well as undermining the efforts of RMT Safety Rep's.
DLR's director, Rory O'Neil, urged both sides to negotiate and take all measures necessary, not to inconvenience. Talks between DLR operator Keolis Amey Docklands and RMT are ongoing.
The operator said services would be disrupted, but DLR will try and run as many trains as possible. The RMT appeared unwavering in its resolve for strike action, saying its members would "stand together and support this strike action as they continue the demonstration of unity and solidarity shown by all in this dispute so far".