Boris Bike staff to go on strike over the Olympics?

Following a long-running debate over pay rewards for London Underground staff during the Olympics, RMT Union has today revealed staff operating London’s Barclays Cycle Hire scheme, or ‘Boris Bikes’, will be balloted over whether they will strike.

Operational staff will vote on whether to take action over Olympic reward and working condition. 

The Transport Union is balloting over three main points:

"1. Imposition of changes to working hours and shift patterns which have been unanimously rejected by RMT members.
2. No offer of any financial reward for working during the Olympics, despite the big increased in workload and the Games’ organisers’ promotion of cycling during the event.
3. The unfair and draconian attendance policy."

“Despite an increasing workload this summer as we head towards the Olympics the staff running the London cycle hire scheme are facing a bullying management who are imposing outrageous changes to conditions of service while denying our members any additional reward for the pressure of the games," said RMT general secretary Bob Crow.

“RMT will not stand aside and watch this group of key transport staff get kicked from pillar to post. The London Cycle Hire Scheme is much more than a vanity project and a publicity stunt for the London Mayor, it is now a valuable part of our transport system and the staff should be valued as such.

“We are sending out the clearest message to Serco Barclays, the scheme operators, by calling this ballot that we are serious about this fight for justice on pay and working conditions and we remain available for talks.”

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