Auckland trains will run only once every 20 minutes at peak times from tomorrow as rail workers strike over workloads.

As part of industrial action by unionised Auckland One Rail, rail workers have refused to work overtime or work changes to rostered hours.

Auckland Transport (AT) is advising commuters to plan ahead as the network operates on a reduced timetable that started yesterday, with peak train services only operating every 20 minutes.

“We currently do not know when this industrial action will be resolved”, says AT Rail Franchise manager Craig Inger.

“AOR has been in collective bargaining with the Rail and Maritime Union of New Zealand and we are disappointed that it has come to industrial action, impacting many of our customers.”

It was possible that the action could go on for up to a month if an agreement could not be reached, the Rail and Maritime Transport Union said.

“We understand how deeply frustrating this will be for our rail customers, who have already had to endure ongoing disruption while we work with our partners to prepare the rail network for the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL),” Inger said.

“We understand AOR and the union will be meeting for mediation next week in order to obtain a timely resolution.

“We encourage both parties to meet and continue bargaining in order to prevent ongoing disruption to Aucklanders.”

Inger said there could also be additional cancellations due to staff shortages, even though off-peak and weekend services are still running to their regular frequency.

The union’s general secretary Todd Valster had said it had been bargaining with Auckland One Rail for the last eight months and still trying to reach a compromise.

Disputes included removing the clause guaranteeing train drivers the majority of their weekends off and workload issues.

Auckland One Rail chief executive Martin Kearney said he was disappointed by the strike action.

AOR and the union will be going into mediation this week to try and reach a resolution.