Asked on Tuesday afternoon if tram workers would strike at the same time as Metro, tram division secretary Phil Aliteri said: "We are not ruling anything out at this stage." Trams may be on a fast track to a complete stop. Credit:Penny Stephens Yarra Trams' offer to staff also includes increases in parental leave and the introduction of trauma and family violence leave. But the union said the offer was inadequate both financially and in regards to conditions including rostering guidelines, redundancy provisions and disciplinary process. Union members were near unanimous in their call for industrial action in a ballot that was counted on Tuesday, with 99.4 per cent voting yes to a range of industrial measures including tram stoppages of up to four hours or 24 hours. Other actions staff may take include refusing to short shunt trams, where late-running trams are terminated before the end of the line, refusing to wear uniforms and overtime bans.

​ Rail, tram and bus union members protest by stopping a train at Southern Cross Station in July last year. Credit:Angela Wylie The union has already moved to stop the trains for four hours outside the peak as soon as next week, and hold two free travel days in which myki barriers will be left open and authorised officers will not check tickets. Mr Altieri said members were mindful of the impact industrial action could have on the travelling public and saw action as a last resort. "Our members have made a substantial contribution to the company's success and expect to be rewarded accordingly," he said.

Yarra Trams said its offer of a 9 per cent pay rise over three years was fair and in line with community expectations. Tram drivers at Yarra Trams are the highest paid in Australia, earning more than $91,000 a year on average, the company said. Authorised officers earned an average wage of more than $89,000 in 2014-15. "Yarra Trams remains committed to reaching a fair and balanced agreement and keeping trams moving so that people in the community can continue their lives as normal," spokesman Simon Murphy said. The Andrews government brokered a Tuesday meeting between Metro and the union to discuss the pay dispute, in a bid to avoid a crippling strike. Metro said the meeting was productive, and parties would meet again on Thursday "with a focus on reaching a fair outcome".

"Metro maintains the view that any industrial action is unnecessary and will do all that we can to avoid any disruption for our customers," spokeswoman Sammie Black said. Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan echoed Metro's position. "We reiterate that it is in no one's interest for action to be taken that has the potential to affect thousands of Victorians," Ms Allan said.



"The government will continue to work closely with all sides to see these issues resolved as quickly as possible." David Hodgett, opposition spokesman for public transport, accused the union of causing transport chaos. "Yesterday it was trains, today it's trams – all those IOUs that Daniel Andrews wrote to unions before the election are coming home to roost," Mr Hodgett said.

