Employees who withdrew their labour at the airport on Thursday have been banned from taking further action by a court order.

According to a statement from law firm MJM Barristers and Attorneys, the Supreme Court granted an interim injunction to Menzies Aviation Bermuda Limited yesterday afternoon and also declared the services offered by the company’s employees as “essential”.

“The injunction restrains the employees and the BIU from ‘inciting, commencing, participating in, encouraging, persuading or influencing any person to take part in, or otherwise act in furtherance of, a strike or irregular industrial action short of a strike, contrary to and in violation of section 9 of the Labour Relations Act 1975’.

“Importantly, the court declared that the services offered by Menzies Aviation and performed by our employees are essential services.

“In addition, the court ordered that if the BIU and/or members of the Air Services Division of the BIU who are employed by Menzies Aviation disobey the Order they may be held in contempt and/or imprisoned among other penalties available to the court.”

According to the statement, the company sought the injunction to avoid any further illegal labour action while it is in discussions with the BIU regarding the renegotiations of the collective bargaining agreement.

“We regret any inconvenience to passengers, guests and staff on Thursday of this week, caused by the illegal labour action taken by 36 employees of Menzies Aviation,” the statement added.

“Menzies is grateful for the court’s assistance with this matter.

“We look forward to continuing discussions with our employees and their union to have a productive dialogue to work through the issues raised and move forward. There are only a few issues unresolved.

“We want reassure the travelling public that we are doing everything within our power to ensure that ground services will continue to be provided without any interruption to flight schedules.”