Queensland Rail has reached an in-principle agreement with unions representing train controllers, but says services will remain on a reduced timetable in the south-east.
The Fair Work Commission has overseen bargaining negotiations since May, after six enterprise agreements between Queensland Rail (QR) and seven unions expired earlier this year.
The most recent in-principle agreement, which covers about 270 employees across the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and The Services Union (TSU), was agreed upon yesterday afternoon.
It comes after QR reached a deal with unions for half its workers in June.
In a statement, QR said the in-principle agreement was "positive progress", but negotiations with other unions remained underway.
"The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), which represents rollingstock employees, is still undertaking protected industrial action including rolling work stoppages and a ban on overtime," the statement read.
From this week, QR has restored 135 weekly train services to boost the current reduced timetable
"There is still a backlog of rollingstock maintenance due to this ongoing union-protected industrial action, which has prevented full-service running," QR said in a statement.
"Given Queensland Rail continues to be constrained by a rollingstock maintenance backlog, we do not expect the in-principle agreement on the Train Control Enterprise Agreement to allow the return of additional services at this time."
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said Queenslanders wanted "trains running, not ongoing industrial action".
"It is positive we've made progress on in-principle agreements, most recently with train controllers represented by the RTBU and TSU; however, protected industrial action, particularly by the AMWU continues to delay a return to full-service running," Mr Mickelberg said.
"The sooner all unions finalise the remaining agreements and end the disruption, the sooner we can get on with restoring all rail services across the network."
The Services Union deputy secretary Rebecca Girard said the union had been able to "work through issues and deliver a good outcome".
"We have secured the existing conditions that have applied for those employees after many years of negotiations, and we've also been able to secure some wins," Ms Girard said.
"One of the biggest features of these negotiations has been ensuring that there's been measures in place in relation to safety practices, and the introduction of change with new technologies.
"We are confident that we've been able to secure provisions within the agreement that will ensure that the appropriate safety assessments and risk assessments are undertaken prior to any implementation or change."
The replacement agreements include an 8.5 per cent wage increase over three years and a "strategic delivery allowance", described as an "added incentive to deliver major projects".
Last month, an AMWU spokesperson said the union would continue to work through its claims with QR "as we attempt to reach agreement in good faith".
The final offer will be subject to approval from the QR board and the state government.
The RTBU has been contacted for comment.
