22.01.14
DLR strike dates announced
Industrial action has been confirmed on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), with two 48-hour strikes planned.
The RMT union said the action was the result of a “total breakdown in industrial relations”, including Serco Docklands stalling on talks over the 2014 pay award, abuse of the disciplinary and attendance procedures, use of agency and contract staff to “undermine jobs and conditions”, and “failures” on training, development and grade progression.
The strikes will take start on 29 January and 4 Feb.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “It is solely down to the actions of the Serco DLR management that RMT has had to announce industrial action across Docklands Light Railway to try and force the issues at the heart of this dispute to be both addressed and resolved.
“RMT will not tolerate the cavalier abuse of procedures, agreements and pay negotiations which has led to the complete breakdown of industrial relations on this vital section of the London transport operation.
“TFL, and their contractors Serco, need to wake up and recognise just what an essential service the DLR staff provide to Londoners' and it is about time that they were treated with the respect that they deserve. It is those members of staff, out of sheer frustration, who requested we take action and it is now down to the management side to understand the level of anger and to start talking positively with a view to resolving the catalogue of complaints that they have allowed to build up.”
Serco Docklands managing director Kevin Thomas said: “We are very disappointed by the RMT's announcement to take industrial action at Serco Docklands.Our priority remains to continue discussions with employees and Union representatives to resolve the dispute and avoid any unnecessary industrial action and service disruption to our passengers.”
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Image c. TfL