Train workers in New South Wales will strike for 24 hours later in the month, potentially plunging the struggling Sydney rail network into further chaos.

Transport workers across the state network and in Greater Sydney would stop work for 24 hours from 12:01am on Monday, January 29, the union announced.

News of a planned strike comes one week after a shortage of drivers contributed to chaos on the rail network, when thousands of customers were delayed for hours in a network-wide meltdown.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) said the industrial action was the result of a refusal by Sydney and NSW Trains management to negotiate a fair and reasonable enterprise agreement with its workforce.

The RTBU said it wanted to give commuters as much notice as possible of the action so they are able to make alternative arrangements.

The union's NSW secretary, Alex Claassens, apologised to commuters, but offered them advice: "If worse comes to worst, stay home".

"The trains will go to bed on Sunday night and won't come back out on Monday," he said.

'Weird' and 'extraordinary' strike, says Transport Minister

Commuters at Central Station were waiting for hours for trains last week. ( ABC News: Clare Blumer )

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance described the strike as "extraordinary" and "weird behaviour from a union boss".

"Could someone please explain to me what has happened in the past 24 hours for this type of escalation?" he said.

Train drivers had announced on Monday afternoon they would stop working overtime on January 25.

But Mr Claassens said there was an "overwhelming feeling" amongst members that the action wasn't strong enough to get the message through.

The union wants its workers to get a 6 per cent annual pay increase, but the Government is refusing to budge on its offer of a 2.5 per cent rise.

Minister too 'arrogant' to talk

State union secretary Alex Claassens apologised to commuters. ( ABC News: Nour Haydar )

Mr Claassens said he realised it would be a huge inconvenience for commuters, but laid the blame at the feet of Minister Constance.

"We have done everything humanely possible to get this guy to come and talk to us, he's just that arrogant that he refuses to do it," he said.

Mr Constance rejected that suggestion and said the strike should be called off.

"I think the community will look at this and think this is just ridiculous," he said.

"What I would say to the unions is call off the strike, act in the interests of customers and put commuters first."