A proposed 24-hour strike by Sydney train workers could cost the local economy $100 million, says the city's business chamber.
More than 9000 train workers are due to strike on Monday, January 29, after negotiations between Sydney Trains and the Rail Tram and Bus Union fell through on Tuesday.
The RBTU is seeking a six per cent pay rise and improved working conditions, while the state government is holding firm at a proposed 2.5 per cent increase.
The RTBU's suggestion for workers to stay at home on the day of the strike was branded "simply outrageous" by Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe on Wednesday.
Ms Forsythe said the action could cost the Sydney economy $100 million.
"I think the union has gone for maximum impact," Ms Forsythe told reporters, adding that Sydney's reputation as a global city would take a hit.
Meanwhile, the NSW opposition has called on Premier Gladys Berejiklian to sideline Transport Minister Andrew Constance for the remaining negotiations.
"The principal cause of this (strike) is the belligerent transport minister," Opposition leader Luke Foley told reporters on Wednesday.
"I'm not a fan of a strike, I want to see that strike called off, but what that will take is the intervention of the premier."
Mr Foley said the six per cent demand by the union was "not on," describing it as an "ambit claim".
"There's plenty of middle ground here but a belligerent transport minister has inflamed rather than resolved the situation."
Mr Constance said the proposed strike was a "silly stunt".
"This is ridiculous, this is a silly stunt," he told Network Seven on Wednesday.
"The rail union don't want to meet with me."
However Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey said Mr Constance had been extremely difficult to negotiate with.
"We expect him to come to the party and negotiate it and stop calling people names and actually act like a minister and do his job," Mr Morey told AAP.
"I've dealt with them all, I've dealt with (Michael) Costa, I've dealt with Gladys (Berejiklian) when she was transport minister and all of them talk and get to some resolution - this guy just doesn't want to talk, so I don't know how he thinks he's going to resolve it."
The strike plan follows a horror week for Sydney's rail network, which left thousands of commuters stranded in peak hour last Tuesday.
From Friday rail workers will wear campaign clothing and badges before an indefinite ban on overtime starts on January 25, the day before the Australia Day long weekend.
Unions are expected to meet again with rail management on Thursday to negotiate a deal.
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