A fresh wave of strikes is poised to hit the tram network on its busiest weekend next month, with Melbourne's grand prix caught up in the public transport union's bitter pay dispute with Yarra Trams.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union will halt trams six times over the first two weeks in March, following two stoppages on Monday and Thursday next week.

The big crowds who line up to catch the tram to the grand prix will have to find another way to get to Albert Park. Credit:Jason South

More than 1500 Yarra Trams drivers, authorised officers and customer service staff will walk off the job between 10am and 2pm on Tuesday, March 3, and Thursday, March 5.

Then, over the four days of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, trams will grind to a halt between 10am and 2pm on Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13, and between noon and 4pm on Saturday, March 14, and the day of the big race, Sunday, March 15.