yesterday evening: "The Government has watched with mounting concern the actions of the Bermuda Industrial Union in support of their dispute with Bermuda Forwarders over the past few days.

"Despite being advised that work stoppages in areas outside the organisation with whom the dispute exists would be illegal, such stoppages have occurred in a number of areas in Government and at the airport and the docks.

"And despite being advised by the Police that picketing which obstructed traffic flowing in and out of the airport was illegal, picketers have continued to block or slow traffic to a significant extent. This left the Police with no alternative but to take action to ensure the law was obeyed.

"I want to make it clear that the Government is not and has no intention of taking sides in this issue. However, in a dispute over the fate of 15 men, 60,000 innocent people have become involved. Tourism is the lifeblood of Bermuda. We cannot allow visitors to this Island to be used as pawns in this dispute, and we cannot allow the infrastructure of the Island's tourist business to be harmed in furtherance of a dispute in which they are not remotely involved.

"The Government has tried very hard to help resolve this dispute peacefully and without unnecessary rancour. However, it has become very apparent that there is a danger of very real damage being done to the economy of the country, on which we all depend.

"We are not prepared to stand by idly while this happens. "As a result, the Government, as an employer, has reluctantly asked the Attorney General to take out an injunction to order the Bermuda Industrial Union to cease all illegal activity connected to the Government. The Supreme Court granted this injunction this afternoon, and the injunction has been served on the Union.

"I would like to make it clear that this injunction does not relate to union activity at the docks and at the airport, where Government does not have a direct interest.

"The Government urges all of its employees who are involved in illegal actions currently taking place in the Marine and Ports Department, the Public Transportation Department and the Department of Works and engineering to return to work.

"This move is not an attempt to interfere with the BIU's legitimate pursuit of the rights of its members, nor is it an attempt to interfere with the rights of a single Bermudian, but is rather to enforce the rights of all Bermudians, to allow them to work and service our guests, to continue to be employed and to do their jobs in the best way they know how.

"I should also like to make it clear that the Government will continue to try to assist both parties in trying to find a way to solve the dispute peacefully and lawfully.''