A last-minute management climb down averted a walk-out at the docks yesterday but Stevedoring Services workers are now working to rule in anger at a longstanding pay dispute.

Bermuda Industrial Union Vice President Chris Furbert yesterday revealed workers have been refusing to work through meal breaks due to unhappiness at the management's latest pay offer.

The dockers have been working without an agreement after the last one expired on April 1. The issue will now go to arbitration hearings next month.

Mr. Furbert said: "The Minister wants a ruling by mid-November."

He said there were other issues beyond the pay dispute but said it was inappropriate to elaborate before next month's pay hearings.

Mr. Furbert said the dispute had arisen because the company did not want to pay staff - who they had called in - for last Friday, when most of the Island was shut down because of bad weather. A second row blew up after bosses carried out work on Saturday, even though workers had been scheduled to do it.

Dockers sought talks with management when they refused to pay them but when management refused to budge the men scheduled a meeting to decide on a possible walk-out. With just minutes to go before the 1 p.m. meeting yesterday management rescinded and paid them for both days.

Mr. Furbert said: "Management then reconsidered their position."

Mr. Furbert slammed Stevedoring Services for trying to dodge payment for the storm day.

"The Employers Council have recommended all workers should be paid for last Friday. Management is a member of the Employer's Council.

"We agree with the Employer's Council. This kind of thing doesn't happen every day. Employers need to be compassionate."

He said management had insisted workers turn up for work in dangerous storm conditions and then the workers found they were unable to work because there were no customs officers present - all Government employees had been advised not to turn up for work because of the bad weather.

Mr. Furbert said: "Virtually the whole country was shut down - Government, public transport. We have one lady who works in Dockyard and she called management to say she couldn't get in. (boss) Bruce Lines told her she must come in.

"Stevedoring Services say they understand industrial relations but you can't consider that fair."

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