07.03.18
Union announces two separate sets of strike action on DLR over KAD disagreement
The RMT union has confirmed today that it plans to run two separate strikes on DLR services in March and April after major disagreements with operator Keolis Amey Dockland (KAD).
Initial issues between the two parties were sparked by a dispute over pay, which caused members of the union to strike for two days in February, but there have been other disagreements over RMT claims that KAD failed to honour certain previous commitments made to staff surrounding training and rostering.
Following a ballot of RMT members, union officials have decided to purse action over the issues separately, with DLR staff now scheduled for between 21 and 23 March, as well as the 20 and 24 April, a period which could impact the London Marathon.
In addition, the union has called for all members contracted by KAD through service management company ISS to strike on the 21 and 22 March, as a reaction to the overall breakdown in relations between the two.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “Both of these separate disputes are over fundamental issues of workplace justice, fairness and sticking to agreements and practices that both Keolis and ISS seem to believe that they can trample all over.”
A spokesperson for KAD told RTM that they had not yet been officially informed of the union’s action and said the RMT was failing to fulfil agreements to inform the company of issues raised despite “a number of constructive meetings” held between the two parties.
Responding to the announcement, Abdellah Chajai, KAD managing director, commented: “Meetings with the RMT union to resolve these issues are continuing, so the announcement of strike action is totally unnecessary.
“We will continue to do all we can to avoid unnecessary disruption for our passengers and remain committed to meaningful and reasonable discussion with the union in a genuine attempt to seek resolution.”
Mark Davis, TfL’s Interim general manager of DLR, added: “This dispute is between KeolisAmey Docklands and the RMT union. We urge all parties to sit down and talk through the issues to try and resolve them as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary strike action.”
Top image: Victoria Jones PA Wire
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