| Melbourne train strike: Services resume after industrial action, but further strikes planned |
Train services have returned to normal after a four-hour strike brought Melbourne's rail network to a standstill on Friday, with more strikes planned for Saturday morning.
Hundreds of services were cancelled, leaving Melbourne's train stations deserted between 10:00am and 2:00pm.
The gates of the usually bustling Flinders Street station were locked for the duration of the industrial action.
The network will be disrupted again on Saturday, with drivers to walk off the job from 2:00am to 6:00am.
Metro Trains said the final four services leaving after 1:00am from Flinders Street travelling to the South Morang, Hurstbridge, Lilydale and Belgrave would be cancelled.
Another 66 early morning services will be cancelled on Saturday.
State secretary Luba Grigorovitch said the rail union would not give up its fight over pay and conditions.
"If Metro want to continue the fight, we're ready and prepared to fight," she said.
Despite dire warnings from transport authorities predicting traffic chaos, Friday morning's commute was relatively smooth for a large number of commuters.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said it was clear that Melburnians had adjusted their travel plans.
"It does seem many people have decided to work from home or take a day off if they are able to do so," Ms Allan said.
"But for so many people, taking a day off means losing a day's pay, they don't have a choice in this matter if they rely on public transport."
Workers walked off the job over a pay and conditions dispute between Metro Trains and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).
During the strike, a large number of union members marched through Melbourne's CBD, holding up trams and traffic.
Addressing the rally, Ms Grigorovitch said Metro could afford the pay rise staff wanted.
"Last year, more than $10 million in performance payments boosted their profits to a record $65 million, and if it wasn't for the workers here today, Metro wouldn't have received this money," she said.
"And that's what they need to remember, the workers."
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