DLR strike planned for Monday
STAFF at the DLR control room could hold a 24-hour strike next week after a breakdown in talks between the RMT and Serco Docklands.
Negotiations have been ongoing over proposals to reduce weekend working hours which the union argues will cost 30 staff 24 rest days.
The disagreement centres on Serco’s plans to replace 12-hour weekend shifts with eight-hour duties, citing safety reasons.
The company claims this will reduce fatigue and increase training time.
The union recently put forward counter proposals to Serco but is still waiting for a response.
Yesterday the RMT said Serco had stalled on an agreement and staff would walk out from Monday lunchtime.
RMT leader Bob Crow said: “The company is deliberately dragging its feet on this matter.�
Over Christmas the RMT members in the control room, based in Poplar, voted 20 to two in favour of a strike.
Union officials are now threatening to enforce it.
The RMT is also putting in motion plans to ballot members across the DLR for strike action as it fears Serco could roll out its proposed working conditions throughout the service.
Managing director of Serco David Godley said the roster changes needed to be implemented to deal with expansion on the DLR over the last 15 years.
He said: “A new roster in our control centre is an essential change to improve safety on our growing and complex railway.
“We cannot compromise on an issue of safety but we remain committed to doing all we can to reach agreement with our staff without any impact to DLR services.�
Further talks to avert strike action are planned for later this week. The proposed walk-out will take place 1.05pm on Monday to 1.04pm on Tuesday.
Check the DLR website for updates or log onto www.wharf.co.uk for the latest news.
Surely the important question is:
Will anyone be able to tell the difference?
Quite agree. The DLR runs such a poor and infrequent service, a 24 hour strike is really not going to make a difference to my daily commute.
The fat sods sat in the office at Island Gardens reading newspapers and scratching their bums look like they're on strike permanently.
You are not customer driven as we have to wait 10mins for a train to arrive that you cannot get on! Strike all you want....