As the labour dispute broadened between the Fairmont Hotel and the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Chamber of Commerce warned the spread of strikes could lead to “havoc”.

All parties involved in the clash over staff redundancies should abide by the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Chamber president Ronnie Viera said, to “avoid situations like we have today”.

“As the matter has been referred to arbitration, it is concerning and unfortunate that industrial action seems to have expanded into other unrelated sectors which will cause nothing but undue havoc and inconvenience to many,” Mr Viera said.

“The timing of these types of disputes is never good but currently a lot of work is taking place to attract hotel investment so naturally, this has the potential to impede those efforts.”

In a fiery speech before a packed street outside BIU headquarters yesterday, union president Chris Furbert told supporters: “Don’t wait for the bus — because it’s not coming.”