Ferry strikes suspended

Progress has been made in the Woolwich Ferry dispute talks and both today’s (Friday 10) and next Friday’s (February 17) 24-hour strikes have been suspended to facilitate negotiations.

Talks were held yesterday (February 9) between Unite and the GMB union, and Briggs Marine Contractors Ltd, which runs the service on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), over a number of issues, including a bullying culture and health and safety issues.

Today’s strike was suspended on Wednesday (February 8) ahead of yesterday’s talks.

“Enough progress was made yesterday for the unions to suspend next Friday’s (February 17) planned 24-hour strike,” said Unite regional officer Onay Kasab.

“We will be meeting the management next Friday for further talks to resolve the outstanding issues,” he added. “We won’t be commenting further until these talks have concluded.

“However, we do reserve the right to take further industrial action, should a settlement not be reached.”

Further 24-hour stoppages are scheduled to start at just past midnight on February 24; March 3; March 10; March 17; March 24; March 31; April 7; and April 14.

The free service opened in 1889, following the abolition of tolls across bridges to the west of London, although a ferry has been in place at the site since the 14th century.

Find out more about why Woolwich ferry workers are striking in the video from the first day that they walked out in the dispute below: