The Sydney Business Chamber says the proposed 24-hour train drivers’ strike will have a crippling impact on businesses across the city. 

“The call by the union boss to workers stay home on January 29 is absolutely the wrong message to give and if heeded will have a significant impact on Sydney’s economy and Sydney’s reputation. His call is simply outrageous,” said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber.

“The potential impact of the strike based on the strength of the Sydney economy is likely to be more than $100 million.

“Sydney is a service-based economy and industries such as tourism, hospitality and retail rely on the customer-facing workers to be present.

“Business that can offer flexible working arrangements are in the minority and for small business and those with one to five employees, such a strike will be crippling.

“Sydney represents 70 per cent of the State’s Gross State Product and a hit to the Sydney economy has ripples across the State and Australia, which we cannot afford.

“The proposed 24-hour train strike will damage our reputation as a strong economy and will undermine our global reputation.

“Business simply cannot afford to have a public holiday called by the union and while big businesses will be able to make some adjustments on this day, small businesses may lack the capacity to keep their doors open,” Mrs Forsythe said. 

“January 29 represents the worst possible day for strike action as the summer holidays end, people return to work, and the school year begins. The strike will affect business, schools and parents alike,” she said.