DLR contractors are going on a 48-hour strike next week

Contractors working on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will go on strike this coming Monday for 48 hours  over what the unions call an “assualt on pay and working conditions”. 

 

More than 80 per cent of DLR RMT members voted for action against the “notorious anti-union facilities company Interserve”. 

 

RMT said there were “a whole series of issues that remain unsolved”, including pay, and claimed that management would not enter “meaningful negotiations” with union reps via Acas. 

 

A picket line will be run on the DLR's Poplar depot and union members from around London “are invited to attend to show their support”. The strike will run from 5:30am on Monday June 8 until 5:29am on Wednesday 10 June. 

 

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The union had no option but to move to a further 48 hours of strike action of DLR staff hired in through Interserve in this dispute. 

 

“The union will not sit back while core issues on pay and working conditions are left unresolved. The ballot result delivered a huge democratic mandate that shows the anger amongst our members and it is about time that Interserve woke up and took note. 

 

“That anger, determination and solidarity was displayed in the rock solid 48 hours of action at the end of last month.”

 

Cash added that the dispute had “ramifications for the entire outsourcing industry in the UK and its virulent anti-union stance”.

 

This is the second action in a month – RMT held a “rock solid” strike in May. 

 

 An Interserve spokesman said: "We are disappointed that further industrial action has been called. However, we have contingency plans in place to minimise any disruption to services and we will continue to work with the union to try and reach an agreement that is acceptable to everyone.”