On Day One Of DLR Strike, RMT Pulls Off Rock Solid Stay Away

by Benson Agoha | Woolwich

This image on the right is the normal sight of the Woolwich DLR - but it wasn't today because DLR is on strike.  And on day one, it was rock solid.

Instead, rushhour passengers met a locked station and wasted no time before piling unto the National Rail Station next door.

But not everybody was aware of the strike. So as early 6am, some early risers arrived the entrance with surprise written all over their face.

On monday RMT General Secretary Mick Cash issued a statement saying the strike would go ahead as negotiations had broken down and it be doing so because of the following reasons:

* Abuses of the use of agency staff within the KAD network.
* Undermining the position of Control Centre, stores and other grades effectively casualising key functions
* A creeping culture of bullying and intimidation of staff, including an abuse of the use of CCTV, being allowed to develop
* Breaches of agreements, procedures and the recognition framework.

Talking about the success of the strike on day one, the RMT General Secretary said in a statement that: "Our members on DLR are rock solid in their action this morning and I want to pay tribute to their unity and determination as they fight to defend safe operational practices and the basic principles of ‎workplace justice."

"Pickets have been out in force and it's now time for Keolis Amey to recognise the sheer strength of feeling on the shop floor and to get round the table for meaningful talks that address the raft of serious issues at the heart of this dispute."

"The disruption caused by the shutdown of DLR this morning is entirely down to the intransigence of the KAD management and now it's time for them to stop the posturing and start talking."

 Despite the success of the lock-down, stay-away and picketing, one must wonder if RMT's demands  will now be met.