Great Western Coffee Shop

Tube drivers have begun a 48-hour strike on the DLR

Tube drivers are striking^ again.

(https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/pa-4439551.jpg?w=748&h=460&crop=1)

This time the drivers have walked out on Docklands Light Railway ^ causing a knock-on effect with the rest of the system.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are staging a 48-hour walkout which started at 4am in a row over agency staff and claims of bullying and intimidation.

Passengers switched to London Underground services, so Tubes were busier than usual.

The strike went ahead after the collapse of last-minute talks between the union and DLR operator KeolisAmey.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ^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 KeolisAmey 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 management and now it^s time for them to stop the posturing and start talking.^

Rory O^Neill, Transport for London^s director of DLR, said: ^We are disappointed that strike action called by the RMT leadership is causing disruption to DLR customers. The only way to resolve their dispute with KeolisAmey Docklands, who operate the DLR on our behalf, is through meaningful discussion rather than unnecessary strike action. We have put on extra buses, on existing bus routes, that operate along the DLR route and staff will also be available to help. Other TfL services are operating but will be busier than normal particularly at key interchanges with the DLR network. We ask customers who are able to, to consider avoiding the busiest times if they can.^

I used to read the Metro when travelling underground until I realized that staring into space provided about the same level of reward without making my fingers inky.

The computers are on strike then.  Maybe they're after a Windows 10 rise.

RMT are stating once again safety concerns do we know what they are?

BREAKDOWN IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ^ KEOLIS AMEY DOCKLANDS (DLR/14/2)

Further to my previous Circular (IR/224/15, 23rd September 2015), and following further correspondence from the Lead Officer and Branch Secretary, the General Grades Committee has taken the decision to inform the Company that we are in dispute and to organise a ballot of members working for KAD for strike action and action short of strike action over a catalogue of issues, which are outlined below.

Agency Staff

Agency Staff Undertaking PWay Tasks. Breaches of our long standing agreement that agency staff will only be used as a last resort.

CATO Staff. Despite the fact that these staff were supposed to be temporary, they are increasingly carrying out more tasks and duties.

SCCM Trained Staff. On a number of occasions, the Company has refused release for these members, citing PSA sickness levels. A new approach from KAD is that these members of staff have not had the adequate time shadowing SCCMs to bring them to a competent level however, recent opportunities for shadowing have been missed.

Undermining of Staff

Undermining of Stores Staff. The stores staff have in principle agreed to work a new roster that better suits KAD. Members have asked that all four shifts are staffed as the roster dictates however due to cost cutting measures KAD has refused. As a result, and as the roster does not take annual leave cover into consideration, later shifts will be left understaffed during periods of annual leave.

Undermining of CCS Grades. Control Centre Supervisors are being overlooked when a CCS shift needs covering. CCCs are stepping into the role before all CCSs have been asked if they are available to cover.

Undermining of CRT Grade. KAD are training their managers to be competent and carry out the role of CRT.

Staff being used for duties outside their responsibilities. Recently recruited staff are being used to cover SCCM roles at the expense of their grade duties.

Bullying of Staff

KAD managers bullying staff. A PSA has been harassed and bullied by KAD managers despite being off with stress and taking some quite strong medication. This kind of intimidatory behaviour is unacceptable.

Accident/Assault at Work. Members who are absent from work following an accident or assault at work are being penalised and the Company is using draconian measures to send a message of non-tolerance to other staff. While we appreciate the need for consistency when implementing policies, a separate policy is needed to cover these types of absence.

Breaching Agreements

CCTV Agreement. An agreement on how CCTV will be used in the workplace has been ignored leading to the dismissal of a member and the potential discipline of another.

Recognition Agreement

Circumnavigation of the Recognition Agreement. It is agreed that any changes that require consultation will not be implemented until this consultation has taken place. However this has not been the case with the training of the CCDM and this training must be halted until the consultation process is concluded.

Recruitment Process. This is being bypassed by Rolling Stock Management. A position was recently advertised that was eventually filled without any interviews taking place and instead decided purely on the submitted CVs.

Bargaining Agreement Grades. There are currently bargaining agreement grades that are being made into Management Contracts.

The Company has been informed accordingly, ballot papers will be posted to affected members on Thursday 8th Octoberand the closing date for this ballot is Thursday 22nd October 2015. If you know of a member who has not received their paper, please ask them to call the Freephone Helpline on 0800 376 3706 or e-mail info@rmt.org.uk.

I will keep you informed of all further developments.

Circumnavigation of the Recognition Agreement indeed.

Do they not mean circumvention?