RMT press release, issued today

MEMBERS OF Britain's biggest rail union working in the control room of Docklands Light Railway are being balloted for industrial action over the imposition of new rosters.

The RMT ballot, which closes on December 22, follows Serco Docklands' unilateral decision to replace 12-hour weekend shifts with eight-hour duties, which will deprive around 30 staff of 24 rest days a year.

"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," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"Serco Docklands can hardly be surprised at our members' anger when it intends to impose the disputed rosters without agreement on January 5.

"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," Bob Crow said.