Docklands Light Railway: Robert Pitman

Wednesday’s Strike on the DLR has been called off, according to the RMT union.

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary said: “RMT is delighted to be able to announce that the determination and solidarity of our members across Docklands Light Railway has forced the pace in head to head talks with the operators, and as a result we have secured agreement on all of the issues the union had put into dispute.”

The main issues were: the threat to outsource job and activities, introduction of new HR policies and the undermining of the role of RMT Health and Safety representatives.

Cash said that the threatened strike could have led to a total shutdown of the Docklands Light Railway from Wednesday morning.

“RMT members voted overwhelmingly for strike action and have proved that unity and organisation in the workplace can deliver positive outcomes that protect staff and their working conditions. The DLR, RMT members are a credit to the trade union movement and a beacon of just what strong industrial trade union organisation, across all grades, can achieve”, he said.

Keolis/Amey took over the DLR contract from Serco in December. Mick Cash warned of the possibility of disruption when the contracts were announced last summer. He said at the time: “RMT members on DLR are deeply concerned that we will be facing a major period of upheaval in the run up to December when Keolis take over from Serco.”