13.03.18
London Marathon strike: Union to have emergency talks with DLR operators
RMT officials have agreed to meet with DLR operator Keolis Amey Docklands (KAD) today, in an emergency effort to end their ongoing dispute before strike action begins over the weekend of the London Marathon.
The talks will be hosted by conciliation service ACAS and will concern a variety of disagreements including new pay deals and claims by the union that KAD has failed to keep a number of commitments to its workforce.
Union members voted last week to go through with the strikes between 21 and 23 March and 20 and 24 April – with fears that the latter dates could have a significant effect on the London Marathon, which is set for the 22 April.
Mick Cash, the RMT’s general secretary, said the problems were “fundamental issues of workplace justice, fairness and sticking to agreements” but that he hoped the talks would yield progress.
“Docklands Light Railway is a key component of the transport network in the capital city and the way that staff are being treated is a stain on London,” Cash commented.
He urged London mayor Sadiq Khan to take note of the issues and help to solve the ongoing dispute.
TfL has previously bowed out of the discussions, telling RTM last week that the dispute was between the RMT and KAD and advising both to sit down for talks as soon as possible.
KAD has committed to do what it can to resolve the issues, calling strike action “totally unnecessary” and committing to a “genuine attempt to seek resolution.”
Top image: TfL
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