The RMT union, which represents DLR staff, have accused Keolis Amey Docklands of introducing a “culture of bullying and intimidation” since they took over the running of the service.
Three 24 hour walkouts will be held on January 11, January 13, and February 11, followed by 48-hour strikes starting on February 8, March 7 and March 10. These will be followed by two four day strikes starting on March 21 and 29th.
A breakdown in talks between the RMT and Keolis Amey led to a 48 hour walkout last month. If the threatened strikes go ahead passengers and businesses are likely to face significant disruption.
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members on DLR are furious at the way that Keolis/Amey are trying to bulldoze through some of the worst working practices and conditions that we associate with the operations of the most cheapskate and anti-union companies in the transport sector and that anger is reflected in the ballot results.
‘We will not sit back and allow this aggressive and bullying culture to develop on this key part of London’s transport network.
“The company should not have underestimated the anger of the workforce and KAD’s continued failure to address our issues has forced this action on us.
“The union will continue with the talks process but to make any progress we need some solid indications that the company are actually listening and taking the grievances at the heart of the dispute seriously.”
Speaking last week, Keolis Amey MD Kevin Thomas said: “We have held a number of meetings with RMT representatives and it is clear that all of the issues they have raised can be resolved or, in some cases, removed from the dispute and managed through the established appropriate channels.”
