Photo: LDR
More than 500 workers and train drivers in Auckland have stopped their partial strike after nearly a month of industrial action over pay and work conditions.
Auckland Transport said train services are returning to normal after an agreement in principal has been reached with at least 500 unionised staff from its rail operator Auckland One Rail, and at least 45 workers from rail maintenance company CAF.
The Rail and Maritime Transport Union's (RMTU) general secretary Todd Valster said while an agreement in principal has been reached, it will take another few weeks for members to vote on it.
He said the agreement offers a 6.1 percent pay increase over an 18-month period, backdated to October last year.
Train drivers will also get time-and-a-half pay for all weekend work under the new agreement, whereas in the past, penal rates were only available when weekend work makes up at least 42 percent of total work hours.
AT rail franchise manager Craig Inger said the withdrawal of industrial action meant Auckland One Rail will once again be able to provide reliable train services.
"I'm sure this will come as a relief to the thousands of Aucklanders who have had their journeys disrupted during this time. I'm thankful for their ongoing patience while AOR and the RMTU have worked to come to an agreement," he said.
RMTU members from Auckland One Rail started striking on 8 June and members for CAF started their strike on 11 June.
Aucklanders have experienced regular disruptions on the train network over the past month - including train capacity being halved at peak hours in early June.