Another island wide shut-down is likely tomorrow as the BIU march on the Supreme Court in support of members facing a contempt of court action.

But businessmen and politicians branded the action pointless as the session will be held in private with just the lawyers of the BIU and Stevedoring Services, who brought the action, going before the judge.

A Supreme Court spokesman confirmed the case would be held in private.

And she said the court was taking no extra measures to deal with a mass lobby.

However BIU President Derrick Burgess who, along with Chris Furbert, Portworkers President Sinclair Smith and his 60 or so port workers, are cited in the action, appeared to be unaware that the hearing would be private.

He said: "They are charging over 60 people.'' Asked what the point of the march was Mr. Burgess said: "There's no intention to influence the court -- the intention is to make people aware of our concerns about the outcome. This decision will effect every worker in the country.

Opposition Labour spokesman Michael Dunkley said: "I am quite concerned Mr.

Burgess is urging all his members as well as their children to attend.

"It makes a mockery of the system because the courts should be treated with respect - the union leader is trying to belittle the system.

"He's trying to influence the decision but it won't work with our legal system.

"And the hearing will be in chambers anyway so they won't be able to attend - it's pointless.'' He said the action, which could see a repeat of the chaos caused on Tuesday when buses and ferries shut down and postal deliveries slowed up, would damage Bermuda. He said: "It will be just like Tuesday where services didn't exist for some period of time.

"This won't move us forward - whether we are looking at bus services or whether it will deter people from getting involved in Bermuda.

"Employers will have to make some decisions about unexplained absences - those workers aren't sick.'' Employers council chairman Malcolm Dixon said: "We haven't heard anything definite about the action.

"The case is going to court -this seems inappropriate.'' The Ministry of Labour said they had tried to broker a deal between the two parties throughout yesterday in a bid to solve the dispute.

A statement said: "While the action doesn't directly involve the Ministry it would like to avert any showdown between the parties which would cause irreparable harm to the island. To this end the Minister had directed the Labour Relations Officer to mediate between the parties if they are willing.

The Minister has also made herself available.'' See Editorial, Page 4