Sydney bus drivers have warned their 24-hour strike protesting privatisation plans won't be the last disruption as they gear up for further rows with the state government over its plans for the inner west.
Thousands of commuters were left confused in the afternoon peak on Thursday after 1200 drivers defied two Industrial Relations Commission orders to return to work.
The drivers are furious over the NSW government's plan to privatise services in the city's inner west and south where there have been issues with late services.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union says it passed on the IRC's message to drivers but wasn't able to force them to return to work on Thursday.
In an open letter, the union apologised for the inconvenience caused by the strike but blamed Transport Minister Andrew Constance for launching an "outrageous attack" on the public transport system.
"Sadly, we cannot commit to you that this will be the last disruption you will face over the coming months," the letter told commuters.
"If the premier does not intervene as a matter of urgency this will, indeed, be Sydney's winter of discontent."
The letter warned passengers Mr Constance's plan would mean private operators would put profits before people.
Drivers also suspect the government will continue privatising more routes and declared they were "in this for the long haul".
The strike, which ends at midnight, affected four depots: Leichhardt, Burwood, Kingsgrove and Tempe.
Mr Constance said the members had shown contempt for a court ruling.
"They don't give a stuff about parents whose children were left stranded on bus stops this morning," he told reporters in Sydney.
The minister argues existing drivers would keep their positions under the private operator and the plan would lead to more reliable services.
The Greens came out in support of the strike with Mehreen Faruqi labelling the privatisation push "a disaster for workers, drivers and the public".
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