Travel on Sydney ferries will be free during peak hours next week as part of a long-running industrial dispute over salaries and conditions.

Ticket sellers will not collect fares between 7am and 9am and 5pm to 7pm from Monday to Friday.

No charge: ferry operators will not be collecting fares next week. Credit:Sahlan Hayes

The Maritime Union of Australia's Sydney branch assistant secretary, Paul Garrett, said the union would avoid inconvenience to the community, while making a point to the state government and the private operator of Sydney Ferries, Harbour City Ferries.

He said the union has met with the company 24 times in six months without resolution.