Dockworkers back on the job

The Bermuda Islander (File photograph)



The dismissal of a longstanding employee sparked a “strike” that impeded the offloading of cargo at Hamilton docks, The Royal Gazette understands.

The member of staff held a management position, according to a source close to the dispute, and was therefore not unionised, but fellow workers took a stand after the person in question was fired.

The dockworkers agreed to go back on the job yesterday morning, ending a standoff, during which only essential and perishable cargo were unloaded from container ships.

The Bermuda Industrial Union and Stevedoring Services agreed to voluntary arbitration after Walton Brown, the Minister of Home Affairs, contacted union president Chris Furbert and stevedoring chief executive Warren Jones on Monday night to broker an agreement.

Neither party divulged details of the nature of the dispute.

Mr Brown said his aim had been “to bring the dock strike to an end”, and Mr Jones said full services had resumed at 9.30am, with the company agreeing to drop legal action.

The matter had been due to be heard in the Supreme Court yesterday morning.

Neither party divulged details of the nature of the dispute.

Mr Brown said his aim had been “to bring the dock strike to an end”, and Mr Jones said full services had resumed at 9.30am, with the company agreeing to drop legal action.

The matter had been due to be heard in the Supreme Court yesterday morning.

The dispute began on Thursday, with 32 containers of essentials coming off the Bermuda Islander on Friday and the remainder staying on board and getting shipped back.

The Oleander was unloaded yesterday morning, with the Islander expected back tomorrow.

Good labour relations was “one of my main objectives as the minister responsible”, Mr Brown said.

He added: “I am very grateful that both parties were open to having these discussions with me and I want to thank the two of them for helping to further the mutual trust between us, which is key in getting us beyond these kinds of divides.”