Workers on London's Docklands Light Railway (DLR) have begun a 48-hour strike in a dispute over working conditions.

Here’s what you need to know and how you can avoid the disruption.

Why are DLR workers on strike?

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members walked out at around 4am this morning due to a row over the use of agency staff and claims of bullying and intimidation.

Union members on the DLR, used by 300,000 passengers a day, backed action by nine to one in a ballot.

The strike went ahead after the collapse of last-minute talks between the union and DLR operator KeolisAmey.

When are the strikes and which services will be affected?

No DLR services will run today (November 3) or tomorrow and services may also be limited on Thursday morning as services resume.

A full service is expected to be up and running by late morning.

Those affected will include passengers using the DLR at Woolwich Arsenal, Deptford Bridge, Elverson Road, Greenwich, Cutty Sark, and Lewisham.

How can I avoid disruption to my journey?

Extra bus services are available on key routes along the DLR network to connect to the Tube.

The Central, District, Hammersmith & City and Jubilee Line services in east London and London Overground services between Highbury & Islington and Surrey Quays are expected to be busier than usual.

Transport for London (TfL) has advised stations which interchange with the DLR – Canning Town, Bank, Stratford, Canary Wharf and Canada Water - will be “exceptionally busy”.

Additional river services will be available on the RB1 during the morning peak between Woolwich and North Greenwich and Greenwich and Canary Wharf.

Follow @TflTravelAlerts, @TfLBusAlerts and @londondlr on Twitter for the latest travel news.

Use the TfL website to plan your journey.

What does the RMT say?

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our members on DLR are rock-solid in their action this morning and I want to pay tribute to their unity and determination as they fight to defend safe operational practices and the basic principles of workplace justice.

"Pickets have been out in force and it's now time for KeolisAmey to recognise the sheer strength of feeling on the shop floor and to get round the table for meaningful talks that address the raft of serious issues at the heart of this dispute.

"The disruption caused by the shutdown of DLR this morning is entirely down to the intransigence of the management and now it's time for them to stop the posturing and start talking."

What does TfL say?

Rory O'Neill, Transport for London's director of DLR, said: "We are disappointed that strike action called by the RMT leadership is causing disruption to DLR customers.

"The only way to resolve their dispute with KeolisAmey Docklands, who operate the DLRon our behalf, is through meaningful discussion rather than unnecessary strike action.

"We have put on extra buses, on existing bus routes, that operate along the DLR route and staff will also be available to help.

"Other TfL services are operating but will be busier than normal particularly at key interchanges with the DLR network.

“We ask customers who are able to, to consider avoiding the busiest times if they can."