Today's train strike in our city, the first in almost 20 years, is an irresponsible error by the union concerned – the Rail, Tram and Bus Union. It is precipitous; negotiations have only been under way for a matter of weeks. Complex enterprise agreements can take several months to form, and the process is not helped by one side going to the brink so prematurely.

This newspaper has long supported collective bargaining in the workplace, for it is the best and fairest way to find a balance between the sometimes competing interests of workers and employers. Average workers often find themselves at a disadvantage if they seek to negotiate terms and conditions individually, particularly if dealing with a big firm.

But with the right to bargain collectively comes the duty to do so with bona fides.

And in this case, there is an interest that arguably outranks those of the company and those of its staff – the public interest. Hundreds of thousands of commuters will be stranded or delayed by industrial action involving the cancellation of 689 metropolitan services and the disruption of some 300,000 trips.

We believe the Victorian government, while not a direct party to the dispute and despite its long-standing allegiance with the union movement, is right to condemn the strike and support the company, Metro Trains.