NSW train passengers are urged to delay non-urgent travel after some drivers failed to show up.
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The llawarra line is experiencing the brunt of the delays, but all train lines are impacted.
Transport Minister John Graham told 2GB more than 350 services had already been cancelled across the network by 7.30am.
"This is causing major disruption, there's no getting around that," he said.
A NSW government spokesperson urged people to delay "non-urgent travel".
"After extensive negotiations over the last few days the unions at the last hour asked for a $4,500 bonus payment for every rail worker," the spokesperson said. "This was never part of our offer, nor was it in the union's counteroffer."
"As a result the union has instructed drivers not to show up to work today."
The spokesperson said the government was considering "urgent legal action".
Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary, Toby Warnes denied the union was to blame.
"Claims from the NSW Government that rail workers threw an extra payment into the mix are completely untrue," Mr Warnes said.
" The payment in question is an existing entitlement contained within the enterprise agreement - it is nothing new at all."
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey apologised for the delays in a snap press conference.
"I'm so sorry that Sydney has woken up to a sneak strike," he said.
Transport for NSW has reported there are no train services running on the South Coast Line between Bomaderry and Bondi Junction.
Drivers are running trains 23km/h slower than usual in areas where the speed limit is over 80km/h.
Services are expected to worsen throughout the day.
Carla Mascarenhas
Carla Mascarenhas is a journalist with Explore Travel and The Senior. She specialises in deep issues affecting Gen X and beyond, and the latest in travel news. Contact her on carla.mascarenhas@austcommunitymedia.com.au
