bargaining table after an agreement following the recent dispute broke down.

The Bermuda Industrial Union are to meet with arbitrator Barry Meade on Monday after a part of the deal signed following a stoppage was not fully implemented.

If their preliminary talks fail, then both parties will proceed to a full arbitration session.

The agreement set down that tug pilot Kenneth Todd, who was at the centre of the stoppage because of grievances by crew members, would retain his tug, Faithful while his crew was reassigned.

In addition the BIU also agreed that a new five-man crew would be found from within its members to work on Faithful . But that has not happened, with only two or three men signing on, leading to the new arbitration session, said Transport Minister Erwin Adderley.

In the meantime Mr. Todd is off his vessel and Faithful is idled.

BIU President Derrick Burgess said he was hopeful they could sort it out without full arbitration.

He dismissed any fears of another stoppage, saying: "We are interested in solutions not problems.'' The dispute blew up earlier this month when Mr. Todd returned to work after a year-long absence following the Xing Da sinking.

Arbitration had settled issues surrounding the confrontation at the planned sinking of the freighter but outstanding grievances involving the pilot and his crew had not.

Around 90 Marine and Ports staff walked off the job in protest and after a two-day stoppage they returned under the threat of legal action, with the promise of mediation.