DLR strike: Union announces 48-hour walkouts on 3 and 5 November

Strike action will take place on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) for 48 hours on 3 and 5 November, RMT, the transport workers' union has said, citing staff abuse, a bullying culture from management and contractual agreement breeches which are "wrecking industrial relations".

The rail union said it had taken the action after talks with Keolis Amey, who operates the DLR, had stalled. Balloted member voted to strike, backing action by 92%.

RMT said in a statement: "All members have now been instructed to take 48 hours of strike action with no shifts booked on or after 0359 on Tuesday 3rd November until 0358 on the Thursday 5th November 2015."

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 abject failure to address these issues which left us with no option but to ballot for action and that ballot registered a massive 92% in favour.

"Despite strenuous efforts by RMT negotiators in talks since the ballot was confirmed the company have dug their heels in and have failed to make progress in a number of key areas at the heart of the dispute. As a result RMT has no option but to confirm 48 hours of strike action for next week. The union remains available for further talks."

About 300,000 passengers use the East London Dockland's Light Railway every day. The service connects the city's key financial centres and city Airport. It runs from Stratford to Lewisham; Bank to Beckton and to Woolwich Arsenal.