Martime workers do not wish to work on a new vessel named 'Ferry McFerryface'.
Maritime Union of Australia's Paul Garrett, the assistant secretary of the Sydney branch, told SBS News workers were disappointed.
"The staff are currently working through the embarrassment of the announcement by the Transport Minister," Mr Garrett said.
"There's been a great number of members contact the union expressing their anger."
Mr Garrett said staff did not wish to work on the ferry while it was operating under the new name and said the Maritime Union was currently reviewing its position.
"Ferries have always been named with a great deal of pride, after beaches, the First Fleet, aboriginal elders and iconic medical practitioners," he said.
More than 15,000 suggestions were made for the competition to name the six new inner-harbour ferries.
"The most popular names by far in the Name Your Ferry competition were Victor Chang, Fred Hollows and Catherine Hamlin, which are already ferrying passengers across the harbour," Mr Constance said.
"This one is for the kids."
Mr Garrett told SBS News he was only made aware of the announcement yesterday after a report on Seven Network was broadcast.
"This is just a cheap media stunt," Mr Garrett said.
"Ferry workers have pride in their jobs, they want to move passengers around the harbour.
"This is a joke that's gone too far."
The Maritime Union confirmed it had contacted Harbour City Ferries to voice its concerns.
Harbour City Ferries is the operator of Sydney Ferries on behalf of the NSW Government.
SBS News contacted the Transport Department for comment.
- with AAP
