DLR workers are planning a long series of strikes at the start of 2016 in an ongoing row over pay and conditions with line operator Keolis Amey, the RMT revealed today.

Commuters may be forced to make alternative travel plans for a whopping 17 days between January and April 2016.

A total of 650 of the 700 DLR workers are members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT), so the line is likely to shut on all strike days.

The union is in dispute with operators Keolis Amey over claims of bullying, breaches of agreements and “abuses” of the use of agency staff.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said today: “RMT members on Keolis Amey Docklands have already shown their anger and determination with rock solid strike action but they are still not being listened to and that leaves us with no option but to schedule blocks of industrial action early next year.

“Our members on DLR are furious at the way that Keolis Amey are trying to bulldoze through some of the worst working practices and conditions that we associate with the operations of the most cheapskate and anti-union companies in the transport sector.

“We will not sit back and allow this aggressive and bullying culture to develop on this key part of London’s transport network.”

The first strike will start at 3.59am on January 11 for 24 hours followed by more walkouts at the same time on January 13, February 8 and 11 and March 7, 10, 21 and 29. The final two strikes will last for four days.

The first strike in the line’s history went ahead for 48 hours at the beginning of November, leaving commuters to walk and take the boat to work.

Kevin Thomas, managing director of KeolisAmey Docklands, said in response: “We have held a number of meetings with RMT representatives in recent weeks, where considerable progress has been made.

“These meetings are currently ongoing and it is extremely frustrating that RMT have decided to announce further dates for strike action rather than proceeding to seek resolution to the issues.

“Such action will cause unnecessary disruption for our passengers, which I believe is avoidable.

“As always, we continue to seek meaningful and reasonable discussion with the union, with a view to achieving resolution and preventing disruption for our passengers.”

Transport for London (TfL) have been approached for comment.