Transport union RMT has confirmed its members have voted to strike after a “total breakdown” in industrial relations between the union and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
The union said its members backed a walk out by nine to one, over a wide range of issues. These include: stalling on pay talks, abuse of disciplinary and attendance procedures, use of agency and contract staff to undermine jobs, and failures on training and development, which are limiting staff opportunities.
The DLR said it was “disappointed” with the announcement and is working hard to resolve the issue.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Our members have shown the level of anger across the railway in this overwhelming mandate for action.
"RMT will not tolerate the cavalier abuse of procedures, agreements and pay negotiations, which has led to the complete breakdown of industrial relations on this vital section of the London transport operation.
"Transport for London, and their contractors Serco, need to recognise just what an essential service the DLR staff provide to Londoners, and it is about time they were treated with the respect that they deserve."
Serco Docklands, managing director, Kevin Thomas, said: “We are very disappointed by the RMT's announcement to take industrial action at Serco Docklands.
“We are working hard to resolve the issues that have been raised recently by the RMT.
“Our priority remains to continue discussions with employees and union representatives to resolve the dispute and avoid any unnecessary industrial action and service disruption to our passengers.”
Tube strikes
Last week the RMT also confirmed its members will walk out on February 4 and February 11 in protest at plans to close London tube ticket offices and axe 750 jobs.
Transport for London confirmed the closures are part of a billion pound investment to help deal with the extra increase in passenger numbers, which it expects to rise from 8.4 million in 2013 to 10 million in 2030.
RMT union general secretary Bob Crow called the cuts "savage" and said they will hit the "most vulnerable users of tube services the hardest".