Melbourne's train drivers went on strike and so did other city residents, staying away from the central business district in droves and punching a million-dollar hole in the city's economy.
Friday's four-hour strike did not cause the predicted peak-hour bedlam after many Melburnians chose to work from home or take the day off.
City officials were left to count the cost, with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle predicting the disruption could cost the economy as much as $10 million.
Melbourne's public transport pain is not over yet with early morning train cancellations set for Saturday and another tram strike planned for Thursday.
Friday's strike officially started at 10am, although some trains shut down as early as 8.30am.
Striking staff did their best to disrupt what little traffic was left in the city centre as they marched to Flinders Street station from Melbourne's Trades Hall with members of the police, nurses and other unions.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Luba Grigorovitch said workers have waited more than five months for a fair deal.
"Metro should be under no illusion they can dress up previous offers and the workers will be conned," she told the 100-strong crowd on Friday.
"We will not allow this company to boost their profits at the expense of the workers."
CFMEU boss John Setka hinted at more strikes to come.
"It's the (AFL) finals time soon - what a wonderful time to have some industrial action," Mr Setka said.
Many commuters questioned why workers were striking when they had been offered a 17 per cent pay rise over four years.
Waiting for protesters to march across Swanston Street, Lin said it was disappointing that it had come to this.
"They should be happy they have jobs," she told AAP.
But Metro staff say the industrial action is not about the money - it is about keeping their conditions.
"We're striking because Metro made promises they couldn't keep," Sue, not her real name, told AAP.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said both parties have to negotiate.
"Some people are going to be in a situation where they have had to lose a day's pay - and those people have the right to be angry and fed up that the action was taken," she told reporters.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the action was going to cost the city millions of dollars - all because the government "is acting like a pack of passengers".
Metro chief executive officer Andrew Lezala is hopeful the company can reach an agreement with the union soon and avoid further strikes.
"I'm very pleased that productive talks have resumed," Mr Lezala told reporters.
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