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Rail workers receive support from commuters following strike

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 9 Dec 2017, 6:06AM
Butson said that striking has helped further progress in their negotiations. (Photo \ NZ Herald)
Butson said that striking has helped further progress in their negotiations. (Photo \ NZ Herald)

Rail workers receive support from commuters following strike

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 9 Dec 2017, 6:06AM

Rail workers who striked yesterday have said they received a huge outpouring of support from commuters.

Auckland Transport train workers are protesting operator Transdev’s plans to introduce driver-only operation on some trains.

And it appears that consumers didn't mind.

"We've been sent many emails from Aucklanders expressing their concerns about Transdev's plans to introduce driver-only operation on some trains, " Rail and Maritime Union secretary Wayne Butson said.

Butson said that striking has helped further progress in their negotiations.

"They've invited us to return to discussions next Friday, which we have accepted and we look forward to the opportunity to sit down with the company and get some meaningful dialogue."

Butson said that Transdev have invited them to return to the negotiating table next Friday, but that doesn't mean further industrial action is not off the table.

"That will be determined by the attitude that comes to the table from the employers and from AT next Friday, if AT attends that set of discussions."

Despite the last minute strike, traffic in Auckland was business as usual with little disruption on motorways.

An NZTA spokesman said traffic on Auckland motorways was a little heavier than usual but flowed smoothly in the peak morning period.

He said motorway demand was up five per cent for an average Friday but was no worse than mid-week morning traffic. The evening commute home was no busier than a usual Friday evening.

Auckland Transport previously warned 30,000 rail commuters to make alternative work or travel arrangements as there was not enough time to put replacement buses in.

Despite the interruption, most people were on the side of the workers.

"People know they're safer when there's a train manager on board, watching the doors and available to intervene if they have trouble with other passengers," Butson said.

"They understand that rail workers are acting in everyone's best interests."

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