A new 8.5% wage rise over three years for Queensland train controllers has fallen common ground.
But the deal between Qld Rail and unions will not allow rail services to return to normal weekday services across its south-east network.
The proposed replacement agreement covers more than 270 workers and offers an 8.5% wage increase over three years and cost-of-living relief payment of up to 1% over two years.
Commuter trains have run on reduced timetables, with fewer but crowded carriages, since May as unions took protected industrial action over new enterprise service agreements.
WAGE RISE AMONG THE CONDITIONS
Under the new deal, controllers will be paid bonuses for the completion of major rail projects and backpay will be dated to August 1.
Qld Rail says the agreement follows in-principle deals reached on three other agreements in June which affect nearly 3500 staff.
It says talks are also continuing with network and rollingstock employees, and a new electrical agreement.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), which represents rollingstock employees, is continuing with protected industrial action including rolling work stoppages and a ban on overtime, Qld Rail says.
The state rail operator recently restored 135 weekly services but says that a backlog of rollingstock maintenance jobs remain.
“Given Qld Rail continues to be constrained by a rollingstock maintenance backlog, we do not expect this agreement to allow the return of additional services at this time,” they say.
They were due to meet with Fair Work Commission this week.
Queensland Rail says its regional timetable was fully restored with the resumption of second Westlander and Inlander services at the start of August:
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