Talks to get underway aimed at resolving Auckland's train strike

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

Talks to resolve Auckland's rail strike were due to start at 9am on Wednesday — but the mediator's train was late.

Industrial action by the Rail and Maritime Trade Union (RMTU), announced on Saturday, is affecting some peak train services on Auckland's southern, western and eastern lines.

Commuters have experienced hour-long delays amid the start of universities' semester one this week.

RMTU organiser John Kerr said talks with Transdev had been scheduled for Wednesday morning, but 'the mediator's been delayed because the train was late'.

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However, the meeting was expected to get under way shortly.

'We want to make meaningful progress today,' Kerr said.

'We'd like to see a moratorium on the introduction of driver-only operation until the middle of 2019, and in the interim, we can work with Transdev and AT on the safety concerns that we've got.'

Asked if he thought the strike could see an early resolution on Wednesday, Kerr said: 'If we make progress today, we're fully prepared to lift the overtime ban.'

Meanwhile, Transdev's manager of people and culture, Jon Baxter, said it was 'committed to bargaining in good faith'.

'We work constructively with the RMTU and seek to use interest-based bargaining to facilitate agreed outcomes,' Baxter said. 

'Transdev is firmly committed to working in partnership with all stakeholders to deliver the highest safety standards for employees and customers at all times.'

A spokesperson for Auckland Transport said the rail strike could put a strain on the city's bus services.

'There may be occasions where people have to stand on buses, or even when the first bus may be full, but we are confident that there is enough capacity to get Aucklanders to where they need to go,' the spokesperson said.

'The current industrial action by the Rail and Maritime Transport Union has put more pressure on the city's train system and they are running with less frequency during peak hours than usual.

'On Tuesday, the train system coped well, and there were only very minor delays.'