Hundreds of rail services cut as wage dispute drags on

Packed train carriages, slower commutes and fewer services – the industrial dispute between Queensland Rail and several unions has hit Brisbane passengers and is expected to continue for days to come.

A reduced timetable – similar to a Saturday timetable – was announced last week to address a backlog in maintenance, following rolling work bans from electricians, maintenance workers and other key support roles.

On Tuesday, the reduced schedule was implemented as planned, with QR’s head of corporate affairs admitting it had caused “disruptions through overcrowding”.

QR’s Nev Conway fronted a press conference alongside Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg, where they were interrupted by a disgruntled onlooker, who shouted throughout Mickelberg’s address and was escorted away from media by station security.

The disruption to commuters caused by almost 300 fewer train services “was to be expected,” Conway said, adding: “We want to get back to running a full timetable as soon as possible.”

As he spoke, the agitated man returned with a spray can and began painting the words “QRupt” on the wall behind the minister in view of cameras and TV crews.

He was apprehended by security before being arrested.

Under usual conditions, trains run every six to 10 minutes for most lines.

Under the altered schedule, trains would arrive at stations on the Gold Coast, Cleveland, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Springfield, Ipswich and Ferny Grove lines every 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon peaks, and 30 minutes during other periods.

For other services, including the Shorncliffe, Beenleigh, and Sunshine Coast lines, trains were running at 30-minute intervals all day.

Shuttles running between Ipswich and Rosewood, and Doomben and Eagle Junction were also running every half-hour.

Last month, Queensland Rail also warned customers three-car trains would operate across the network, with the Ferny Grove and Cleveland lines worst affected.

In an interview with ABC 612, Conway said the effects of industrial action had been wider-reaching than workers and unions had first indicated, with maintenance including wheel and brake repairs, door faults and “a whole range of various electrical faults which occur from time to time” unable to proceed.

Asked whether the pay dispute could lead to a full network shutdown this week, Conway said “every day that [protected industrial action] goes on increases the chance that there may be further downgrades to services”.

“We’re anticipating that this timetable will be able to be implemented for the foreseeable future, and then we will assess the availability of rolling stock,” Conway said.

The offer put forward to unions on April 27 included an 8 per cent wage increase over three years, plus an additional 2.5 per cent CPI uplift, a $1250 annual bonus for completing major projects, and increases to standard working allowances such as night and early morning shifts.

Last week, Peter Allen, secretary of the Queensland branch of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, said the state-owned operator’s proposals had been “pitiful”.

“They are almost a carbon copy of what was provided previously … [and that] would send people’s conditions backwards,” he said.

Conway maintained Queensland Rail had been engaging in “respectful, good faith negotiations” with workers, but had yet to receive a formal counter-offer from the unions.

Seven unions, including the Electrical Trades Union and Rail Tram and Bus Union, are engaged in talks with state-owned railway operator Queensland Rail.

Queensland Rail is due to meet with the unions again on Thursday.

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