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Boris Bike workers to strike over claims of harassment and bullying

Workers at the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme will go on strike for 48 hours later this month over a dispute over harassment and bullying, pay, travel arrangements and shift pattern changes.

The RMT, Britain's largest transport union, announced the action today.

It said around 63 workers are expected to join the strike, which will begin on Sunday 11 August until Tuesday 13 August.

AndrewHill, senior executive at Serco, the company that employs the workers, said the firm was "very disappointed that the RMT has decided to take unnecessary industrial action".

He added that an agreement not to strike had been reached with Community, the other union to which the workers belong.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the strike action sent out a clear message to Serco that they are serious about this "fight for justice".

"There has been a whole barrage of press reports recently that the so-called Serco Boris Bikes are facing severe docking and capacity problems, and yet the staff running the London cycle hire scheme are facing a bullying management who are imposing outrageous changes to conditions of service while a fair pay increase," said Crow.

He has demanded that Boris Johnson and Serco meet with the RMT.