docks, has been given a job termination warning by Stevedoring Services.

The notice was issued to the long-time dockworker yesterday for instigating a workers' walk-out on Monday just as a container ship was coming into port.

Marine & Ports declared the action to be dangerous.

The notice sets up Mr. Furbert to be fired if he breaks the rules in the dockworkers collective agreement -- as Stevedoring Services says happened on Monday.

Last night, Mr. Furbert declined to comment on the situation saying he hoped to meet with company management today.

Interviews this week indicate the brief Monday morning dispute may be a result of two things: Worker-management manoeuvrings as contract negotiations approach; and The Bermuda Industrial Union's determination to use its powerful dockworkers division to stop any further erosion of the union movement in Bermuda.

Yesterday, Mr. Furbert said Monday's walkout took place after an apparent management move to splinter union resolve not to work weekends.

He said he ordered workers off the job after learning two stevedores had worked the weekend. Mr. Furbert noted the two had crossed picket lines during last summer's strike action.

"We want our workers to respect the decision by all,'' he said. Mr. Furbert said his union was determined to remain strong on the docks despite setbacks elsewhere on the Island.

"I look at Pink Beach and Grotto Bay,'' he said of two hotels where workers have dropped BIU representation.

"I don't want Stevedoring Services to start playing our workers against us.'' His colleague, Mr. Vince Minors, a long-time crane operator, added: "We're not going to let what's happened to other divisions to happen here.'' In a Tuesday staff memorandum, Stevedoring Service's managing director Mr.

Mike Lohan singled out Mr. Furbert, saying his Monday actions endangered the incoming ship and the future livelihoods of the company and his fellow workers.

Marine & Ports was so upset with the walkout that it filed a complaint with the Corporation of Hamilton, the authority responsible for issuing Stevedoring Services' licence to operate the docks.

Yesterday's termination notice described the Monday morning walk-off as a strike action.

Mr. Furbert yesterday objected to being singled out in Mr. Lohan's memo. He said his walkout order was committee-based. He added that no workers were assigned to tie-up the incoming ship and that management did not ask for help when the ship came in.