A business owner on the province’s west coast says the local business community is “very worried” about the possibility of a work stoppage affecting the Marine Atlantic service.

Steve Churchill operates Phonetech Voice and Data Limited in Corner Brook and is a Director with the Corner Brook Chamber of Commerce.

He says local business relies heavily on the service and the impact of a disruption will be felt throughout the province.

Churchill says a strike or lockout could also have an impact on tourism. Some figures show up to 30 per cent of all tourists coming to the island arrive through Port aux Basques.

He says the impact on Gros Morne in particular could be devastating.