Union hopes to end Vic train, tram strikes

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is hopeful it can avoid further disruption this week following Melbourne's first train strike in 18 years on Friday, and a second on Saturday.

But a four-hour train strike is planned for between 10am and 2pm on Thursday.

RTBU Victorian secretary Luba Grigorovitch says talks between the union and Yarra Trams are expected on Monday, while union delegates will meet on Thursday to discuss the situation with Metro Trains.

She says at this stage the tram stoppage will go ahead on Thursday, but is hopeful of progress in negotiations.

"I'm quite optimistic that Metro Trains and Yarra Trams will put forward an offer that will be acceptable to our membership, and the RTBU is keen to avert any further industrial action," she told AAP.

"However, we will not be taking a backward step."

Yarra Trams spokesman Simon Murphy says the union has imposed overtime bans that will run until Saturday along with the planned stoppage on Thursday.

He says talks with the union are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday, but Yarra Trams will seek an additional session on Tuesday in a bid to avert "unnecessary industrial action".

"We have been negotiating for five months now, since April, and we will continue as we have done for the past few months in a bid to reach agreement," he said.