Sea-Land Construction Ltd are hopeful of an amicable resolution to their dispute with the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) who are suing for more than $135,000 in missing benefits.

The BIU says union dues and Credit Union, sick fund, vacation fund and lay-off fund payments for 28 workers from a 1998 agreement have been withheld by the company.

Sea-Land and the BIU met for half an hour yesterday. A company spokesman said: "It was very productive. It went extremely well.

"I think it will be resolved. Everything is amicable but there is no further comment at the moment."

Further talks are planned within the next two weeks, said the spokesman.

The union is also seeking interest on the missing money plus costs.

Sea-Land wound down its operations over the last year but is now in a joint venture with Belgian building firm B6 and is working on the US Consulate and on an office at the Cathedral.