Queensland Rail has reached an in-principle deal with unions representing 270 train controllers after negotiations overseen by the Fair Work Commission since May. The agreement, which affects around 1/5 of Queensland Rail's workforce, does not currently allow for a return to full-service running due to ongoing industrial action and a maintenance backlog. Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg expressed frustration that protected industrial action continues to delay a return to full service, while The Services Union deputy secretary Rebecca Girard said the union had secured improved safety measures and new technologies in the agreement. The deal covers two unions, but negotiations with other unions are ongoing.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Queensland Rail has reached an in-principle deal with unions representing train controllers, covering about 270 employees across the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and The Services Union (TSU). This agreement comes after QR previously signed a deal with half of its workers in June. However, train services will still run on a reduced timetable in the south-east due to ongoing industrial action and a backlog of rollingstock maintenance. The Fair Work Commission has overseen negotiations between QR and several unions since May, when six enterprise agreements expired. Queensland Rail is now involved in bargaining for two other enterprise agreements, which will continue to affect train services.
Written for “Queensland Train Controller Dispute” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score +0.40 for article 1066 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-25
In short:
Queensland Rail has reached an in-principle deal with unions representing train controllers.
asserted
Rail → reach → controllers
The Fair Work Commission has been overseeing the negotiations between QR and several unions since May.
What's next?
QR remains involved in bargaining for two other enterprise agreements, and says train services will continue to run on a reduced timetable.
uncertain
services → oversee → timetable
Queensland Rail has reached an in-principle agreement with unions representing train controllers, but says services will remain on a reduced timetable in the south-east.
asserted
services → reach → east
The Fair Work Commission has overseen bargaining negotiations since May, after six enterprise agreements between Queensland Rail (QR) and seven unions expired earlier this year.
uncertain
agreements → oversee → Rail
The most recent in-principle agreement, which covers about 270 employees across the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and The Services Union (TSU), was agreed upon yesterday afternoon.
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which → cover → Union
It comes after QR reached a deal with unions for half its workers in June.
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QR → come → June
In a statement, QR said the in-principle agreement was "positive progress", but negotiations with other unions remained underway.
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negotiations → say → unions
"The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), which represents rollingstock employees, is still undertaking protected industrial action including rolling work stoppages and a ban on overtime," the statement read.
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statement → represent → overtime
From this week, QR has restored 135 weekly train services to boost the current reduced timetable
"There is still a backlog of rollingstock maintenance due to this ongoing union-protected industrial action, which has prevented full-service running," QR said in a statement.
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QR → restore → statement
"Given Queensland Rail continues to be constrained by a rollingstock maintenance backlog, we do not expect the in-principle agreement on the Train Control Enterprise Agreement to allow the return of additional services at this time."
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agreement → give → time
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said Queenslanders wanted "trains running, not ongoing industrial action".
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trains → say → ?
"It is positive we've made progress on in-principle agreements, most recently with train controllers represented by the RTBU and TSU; however, protected industrial action, particularly by the AMWU continues to delay a return to full-service running," Mr Mickelberg said.
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Mickelberg → make → running
"The sooner all unions finalise the remaining agreements and end the disruption, the sooner we can get on with restoring all rail services across the network."
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we → finalise → network
The Services Union deputy secretary Rebecca Girard said the union had been able to "work through issues and deliver a good outcome".
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union → say → outcome
"We have secured the existing conditions that have applied for those employees after many years of negotiations, and we've also been able to secure some wins," Ms Girard said.
"
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Girard → secure → wins
One of the biggest features of these negotiations has been ensuring that there's been measures in place in relation to safety practices, and the introduction of change with new technologies.
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One → ensure → technologies
"We are confident that we've been able to secure provisions within the agreement that will ensure that the appropriate safety assessments and risk assessments are undertaken prior to any implementation or change."
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assessments → secure → implementation
The replacement agreements include an 8.5 per cent wage increase over three years and a "strategic delivery allowance", described as an "added incentive to deliver major projects".
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agreements → include → projects
Last month, an AMWU spokesperson said the union would continue to work through its claims with QR "as we attempt to reach agreement in good faith".
uncertain
we → say → faith
The RTBU has been contacted for comment.
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RTBU → contact → comment