The Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce is pressing both parties in the strike by ferry captains to get back to the negotiating table.

Two ferry services in the region have been affected by the strike: Fogo/Change Islands and St. Brendan’s/Burnside.

Chamber vice-chairman Sheldon Handcock says not only is the strike affecting residents and businesses but it’s also impacting those who provide essential goods and services such as shipping and trucking companies delivering food or medical supplies.

Handcock says the Newfoundland and Labrador economy is facing a perfect storm of hardships following Snowmageddon, COVID-19 and now labour disputes.

He says he’s concerned this might not be a storm that the local economy can weather.