Commuters warned rail disruptions could worsen ahead of Magic Round

Queensland commuters warned rail chaos could worsen ahead of Magic Round as wage disputes continueLBy Lucy LoramTopic:Public Transport2h ago2 hours agoTue 28 Apr 2026 at 7:34amThe RTBU says it will create disruptions in the coming days in response to stalled negotiations with Queensland Rail. (ABC News: Christopher Gillette)In short:Commuters are being warned that ongoing rail disruptions could worsen, with multiple unions still unable to reach wage agreements with the Queensland government.Both parties say they hope to resolve the matter before the NRL's Magic Round is held in Brisbane from May 14 to 17. What's next?The RTBU says it will "create minor disruptions" in the coming days, and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg has urged them to stop protected action and make a deal.abc.net.au/news/qld-rail-disruptions-unions-nrl-magic-round/106615586Link copiedShareShare articleSouth-east Queensland commuters are being warned that disruptions to train lines could worsen, as the Queensland government and unions remain at loggerheads over wage disputes.Queensland Rail says it put a "new and improved" offer to the Fair Work Commission on Monday night, which the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) has called "pitiful".What you need to know as Qld track closures extendedAfter a week of "chaotic" disruptions, passengers should prepare for further impacts with the extended April track closures to get into full swing.The RTBU says it will "create minor disruptions" in the coming days.Branch secretary Peter Allen said some workers would refuse to work overtime, and others would institute a ban on some paperwork."Let me give you an example of what one group are going to do shortly to send a message back to their employer, they're going to refuse to work through their lunch break and have a barbecue instead," Mr Allen said."Instead of what they normally do, which is work through their unpaid lunch break and keep the trains running, they're going to pull up and have something to eat."The unions had been in pay negotiations with the government for several months, which — combined with a number of planned upgrade works — have caused disturbances for south-east Queensland commuters.Services were clogged at peak hour on Tuesday evening, with some trains arriving with only three carriages and already at capacity by the time they reached Roma Street Station. (ABC News: Tobi Loftus)Bargaining disagreementsHead of corporate affairs at Queensland Rail, Nev Conway, said the organisation tabled a "new and improved" offer at the Fair Work Commission on Monday."We are increasing cost-of-living allowances, we're also adding increases to general allowances," he said.The offer tabled was an 8 per cent base pay increase over three years, and a cost-of-living adjustment if inflation goes above that rate.But Mr Allen said the offer was "basically a carbon copy" of previous agreements."Yesterday, I said the agreements were disappointing. I take that back; they are pitiful agreements," he said."Queensland Rail … and the Queensland government who set the rules here, made absolutely no movement, despite the fact they were going to turn up in good faith and negotiate."The RTBU also called for trauma leave for staff, and better management for safety and fatigue.Rail services have been disrupted due to ongoing industrial action by unions. (ABC News: Liz Pickering)"Yesterday's offer means we need to escalate beyond where we were prior to Easter," Mr Allen said.Industrial action…

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