Rail workers face strike ballot over roster changes

London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) workers are to be balloted for industrial action over the introduction of new rosters.

Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are angry at the decision by Serco Docklands, which operates and maintains the DLR, to replace 12-hour weekend shifts with eight-hour duties. The move will deprive about 20 staff of 24 rest days a year.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “This is a straightforward and unacceptable attack on our DLR members’ working conditions which will have a massive impact on their ability to balance their working and family lives.”

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The disputed rosters are scheduled to be implemented on 5 January 2009. The RMT ballot will close on 22 December this year.

“We have urged our members to vote for industrial action, and if Serco Docklands wants to avoid industrial action it should withdraw the new patterns,” Crow added.