Docks dispute arbitration to begin immediately

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Arbitration to settle a docks dispute will begin right away, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors said last night.

Proposed layoffs at Stevedoring Services Ltd (SSL) had led Minister Minors to intervene, and late last week she refered the issue to arbitration.

However, SSL decided to go ahead with the layoffs in spite of the Ministerial initiative. When it became clear that the firings were imminent, the Government went to court at 5pm on Wednesday to seek an injunction to prevent the SSL and the Bermuda Industrial Union from any further action. Peter Aldrich, general manager of Stevedoring Services Ltd said in a press statement yesterday they are preparing an appeal to have the injunction overturned.

Minister Minors spoke to The Royal Gazette about the docks dispute after giving a speech and answering questions at the ‘Embracing Bermuda’s Women’ Progressive Labour Party town hall meeting at the National Sports Centre Pavilion. She said: ”Both parties have stipulated their respect in the process,” before stating that arbitration would begin “right away”.

Mr Aldrich’s press statement said that SSL was acting in good faith. “Despite not actually being served with any court papers in regards to a Government injunction preventing any further action from either party in the dock dispute, Stevedoring Services is, in good faith, complying with what it understands the order to be.

“In the meantime, we are preparing an appeal to have the injunction overturned. All of our actions have been legal and in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement, so we are confident of our position.

“We remain committed to efforts to find a mutually agreeable resolution to this issue. The simple economics of the situation dictate that we must find a solution to reduce the expense attributed to the 50 percent non-productive employment costs if the business is to survive.”

When Minister Minors first referred the matter to the Labour Disputes Tribunal, she said she hoped all parties could 'come to an agreement to avoid there being any adverse effects on the economy', and urged both parties to 'ensure that business operated as normal as possible until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved'.

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