UPDATE: This dispute has been won! The strike is therefore called off. See the union press release here.
When Keolis/Amey took over the DLR contract, they thought they could contract out a bunch of the staff and worsen their working conditions.
Wrong! DLR workers have voted by a huge majority in an equally huge turnout for strike action and will go ahead with a 48-hour stoppage later this week if their new employer does not back down.
DLR has been operated as a franchise ever since it was set up. Private companies which hold the franchise will always try to drive down costs and divide the workforce - it is in their interests to do so. It is great that RMT is fighting back on DLR - this should be a boost for a more generalised fight to end franchising and contracting-out and have all of London's transport integrated under public ownership.