DLR. Pic: Stefan Baguette

The Docklands Light Railway is set to face disruption next Wednesday January 28, after strike action was approved by the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers).

The strike centres on a dispute between the DLR workers and KeolisAmey, who operate the transport service.

Mick Cash, RMT’s General Secretary, said he supports the strikers “determination to fight against detrimental changes to [workers] terms and conditions”.

“These include secondments without members’ consent or agreement, new and inferior policies on maternity & paternity leave, longer waiting periods for entitlement to full sick pay and a failure by the Company to deal with a list of outstanding health & safety issues as well as undermining the efforts of your RMT H&S Rep.”

The RMT told Eastlondonlines today that picketing would be taking place next week, though they have yet to decide when and where.

Kevin Thomas, Managing Director of KeolisAmey Docklands said: “I’m very disappointed that the RMT has announced strike action on the DLR, as we have been working hard to address their issues and have made genuine progress, with further talks planned.”

“We will continue to do all we can to address the issues important to our employees and to avoid unnecessary disruption for our passengers.”

The DLR service has been operating for over 20 years and today has 45 stations across London. During 2013 and 2014 it carried around 101.5million passengers.

The Director of DLR, Rory O’Neill said: “This is a matter between the DLR operator, KeolisAmey Docklands Ltd, and the RMT union. We would urge the union to resolve the issue by negotiation with the operator and not cause unnecessary disruption to our passengers.”

The DLR will be issuing travel advice to passengers early next week.