Queensland rail workers to strike as NRL Magic Round brings thousands of fans to city

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 11:02

The work stoppages will put extra pressure on a network already under strain after extended track closures through April, ongoing maintenance work, and the NRL's Magic Round, a four-day rugby league festival that sees all 18 teams play at Suncorp Stadium, in mid-May.

The Queensland rail workers' union has announced it will engage in industrial action over the next two weeks after pay negotiations with the government stalled yesterday.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union said it failed to reach a wage agreement with Queensland Rail at the Fair Work Commission conference yesterday because the deal offered was similar to one already rejected.

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"Yesterday was a disappointment, and there's no two ways about it," the union's Queensland branch secretary Peter Allen said.

"There was some progress, but it was small, and nowhere near enough."

The rolling strikes are understood to affect different parts of the workforce, including maintenance workers and train signallers.

"We will not stop trains — this will be measured and deliberate," Allen said.

"If the network is disrupted, that will be Queensland Rail's choice, just as it was at Easter."

Queensland Rail confirmed more than a dozen extra rail services were planned for the Magic Round weekend on May 14-17, but work stoppages may still impact services for commuters.

"Rather than impacting commuters travelling to work, school or the footy, we're asking the unions to stop their games and come back to the negotiating table," the spokesperson said.

"Queensland Rail has made a fair and reasonable offer, including a standalone agreement for electrical workers, a key demand by the Electrical Trades Union.

"With each passing day, union-protected industrial action is hampering Queensland Rail's ability to deliver safe and reliable train services for our customers."

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