Union of railway workers suspended over pay dispute upset no agreement reached

7:52 am on 17 May 2019

The union representing about 30 Auckland railway workers suspended during a pay dispute with their employer says they're disappointed that no agreement has been reached yet.

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The workers rallied outside the Britomart Train Station this week, and planned to gather again at the Puhinui station on Friday morning. Photo: 123rf

Rudd Hughes from the Rail and Maritime Transport Union said the maintenance workers were in talks with their spanish employer CAF on Thursday after demanding a pay rise.

Mr Hughes said some progress was made at the meeting, but the parties were still deeply divided.

"We're disappointed that the company are still playing hardball with those guys. It's going to be a problem for them. We were hoping to get to a deal today, given that they called the meeting...I think we're quite a long way apart at the moment," he said.

The workers rallied outside the Britomart Train Station this week, and planned to gather again at the Puhinui station Friday morning.

Mr Hughes said they will return to the negotiation table with CAF on Monday.

Auckland Transport says train services will not be affected.