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Strike over driver-only trains could cause Auckland transport chaos

Author
Natasha Jojoa Burling ,
Publish Date
Mon, 29 Jan 2018, 9:40AM
Rail workers will vote next week on whether to go on strike. (Photo: NZ Herald)
Rail workers will vote next week on whether to go on strike. (Photo: NZ Herald)

Strike over driver-only trains could cause Auckland transport chaos

Author
Natasha Jojoa Burling ,
Publish Date
Mon, 29 Jan 2018, 9:40AM

There could be chaos on Auckland roads when universities go back if rail workers decide to go ahead with a strike.

Auckland rail workers will start voting next week on whether to take more industrial action over a reduction in staff.

They've been in collective bargaining with Transdev since May and went on strike early last month.

They're against plans to do away with train managers and operate driver-only trains.

Train company Transdev is planning to employ pairs of roving transport officers instead.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union organiser John Kerr says that's a good idea but not instead of train managers.

"Train managers are a safety critical member of the crew, they are the first responder in the case of an emergency and they also have the job of ensuring that passengers safely embark and disembark, including the disabled.".

Kerr said there was an example of why train managers are so vital just last week when a baby got clipped by a train at Meadowbank Station.

"And without the train manager there the driver would have been alone and would have had to manage that emergency all by himself."

If workers decide to strike, it will be from the end of next month.

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