Melbourne commuters will get two "free travel days" with Metro Trains staff refusing to check myki cards as part of a pay dispute.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union voted to run two free travel days and a four-hour work stoppage as part of a four-month battle with Metro over a new industrial agreement.
"Our members will leave all barriers open and refuse to check tickets or issue infringements. This industrial action is aimed at Metro's hip pocket, not the travelling public," union secretary Luba Grigorovitch said on Monday.
The union executive will meet on Wednesday to decide when the free travel days will be held, with the four-hour work stoppage likely to be held next week.
"Our first four hour workplace stoppage in 18 years is likely to take place next week and will coincide with a rally of members at Flinders Street Station," Ms Grigorovitch said.
The union argues Metro's profits have been boosted to a record $65 million with bonuses for good performance.
"Metro would not receive these payments if wasn't for the hard work of our members," she said.
A bargaining process between Metro and the union was agreed to at the Fair Work Commission on Monday.
Premier Daniel Andrews urged both sides to remember the customers they serve every day.
"I would ask all parties to this enterprise bargain to think of public transport users, to think of the broader Victorian community and to sit down and work through these issues calmly, in a rational way," he told reporters.
Opposition MP Tim Smith, 31, said he didn't remember the last time Melbourne's trains went on strike in 1997.
"People of my generation in particular have no recollection of strikes on Melbourne's railway lines," he told reporters.
Mr Smith called on the premier to use his influence with the RTBU to call off the strike in the interests of commuters.
Metro Trains said the company was working with the union to reach an agreement.
"At this stage, we have not been notified of any industrial action," Metro Trains posted on Twitter.
"We will keep you updated throughout the process and we will notify you if there are any disruptions to your travel."
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