Holidaymakers travelling from regional Victoria for the Formula One Grand Prix and Easter long weekend are no longer facing major disruptions as a long-running union dispute appears to have cooled.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has cancelled strikes planned for Friday, March 22 and Thursday, March 28.
F1 Grand Prix warm-up races start on Friday, while March 28 is the Thursday before the Easter long weekend.
“Passengers are advised that trains will now be running on both days and to continue to visit the V/Line website for the latest information before they travel," V/Line chief executive Matt Carrick said on Tuesday.
"We'll continue to negotiate in good faith to reach a resolution with the union that delivers a modern workplace agreement, with excellent outcomes for our workers.”
Authorised officers, customer service staff, conductors and other staff have staged more than half a dozen strikes since the start of the year as they pushed for better pay and conditions, forcing the entire regional rail network to shut down for several hours at a time.
Train drivers have not taken part in any industrial action as the union and employer reached a separate arrangement for them.
The union cancelled the upcoming planned action to undertake a four-week negotiation period.
"After months of bargaining, seven statewide stoppages, and conferences held at the Fair Work Commission, V/Line have finally provided information that allows our bargaining team to have meaningful negotiations, and conceded our request for the state government to be at the bargaining table," Victorian branch secretary Vik Sharma said.
"Due to this, in good faith, the (union has) withdrawn the stoppages notified on 22 and 28 March 2024."
Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Daniel Bowen was pleased the action had been called off as previous stoppages were very disruptive.
"While some people can defer travel while trains aren't running, not everybody has that choice," Mr Bowen said.
"The limited provision of coach services has meant crowding and long slow trips as a result."
An independent mediator was appointed to oversee the negotiations as V/Line and the union met at least twice a week over the four-week period.
The union has previously said the main sticking points include boosting wages in line with inflation and conditions such as shift length.
Increasing wages to keep up with inflation would go beyond the state government's public sector wages policy, currently capped at three per cent.
The wages cap has been raised in other unresolved union disputes involving Victoria's paramedics, police and other public sector professionals who are also seeking pay increases.
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams has been approached for comment.
