Negotiation News

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Strike negotiations 'should have prevented action'

Strikes should not have been a necessary consideration, Serco director suggests

20 January 2011

Ongoing strike negotiations should have been enough to put a stop to planned strikes on London's Docklands Light Railway, it has been suggested.

David Stretch, managing director of Serco Docklands, spoke out after Mr Justice Tugendhat decided that the proposed 48-hour strike, which was set to take place from today (January 20th) was not lawful as the ballot notices were invalid.

He told the Press Association: "We are frustrated at the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union for bringing our employees to the brink of unnecessary industrial action."

Mr Stretch added the firm believes this was unwarranted considering the lengthy and ongoing discussions it had been engaged in over recent months.

Members of the RMT union planned to walk out at 03:59 GMT this morning after talks over redundancies and pensions proved unsuccessful.

Negotiation strategies could also be required by Jobcentre plus as industrial action at seven of its contact centres commenced today.