Hard-working Brits at risk of losing their jobs because of crippling rail strikes

WORKERS are at risk of losing their jobs because of the crippling rail strikes — with five more days of action starting tomorrow.

Bosses may have to decide to shut up shop, with small firms caught up as “collateral damage” in long-running disputes.

The warning comes as commuters face chaos this week with rail workers and train drivers walking out again just as the country is trying to get back to work after Christmas.

Rail strikes are estimated to have cost the economy £600million so far.

Firms were also hit in the run-up to Christmas by postal strikes.

Craig Beaumont, from the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “If these strikes escalate and we see co-ordination with Royal Mail and other strikes, we could see estimated economic damage grow from £600million into billions.

“This doesn’t hurt bigwigs in train companies or Royal Mail, it’s small businesses that are the collateral damage.

“Unions and ministers should make a resolution to find a landing zone. Otherwise small businesses will be left to pick up the tab and decide if their businesses are viable in 2023.”

Analysis by the Centre for Retail Research found 47 sites shut up shop every day last year. More than 5,500 went under, with more than 11,600 closed as larger chains cut costs.