The Labour minister is watching the developments surrounding the dockworkers dispute and has "registered her concerns'' about today's mass union meeting.

And Stevedoring Services human resources manager Sen. Milton Scott declined to comment yesterday after claims that dockworkers had said they didn't want to work with him.

Insiders had said a BIU letter, announcing their overtime ban, had cited the Progressive Labour Party Senator and Education Minister as one of the three sources of discontent on the docks.

But the Government Senate Leader said yesterday: "All statements have to be directed to the lawyer Alan Dunch.'' The BIU has been slapped with a contempt of court order for an illegal overtime ban by dock workers.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess, senior union officials Chris Furbert and Sinclair Smith and 60 portworkers could be fined for allegedly breaking a 1998 injunction forbidding them from banning scheduled overtime.

There will be a general meeting today to discuss impending proceedings in the Supreme Court after union leaders did not attend a compulsory Permanent Arbitration Tribunal hearing.

Sen. Scott was singled out in a letter delivered to Stevedoring Services by the union giving five days notice of the ban.

Sen. Scott was the longtime head of the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

The letter also raised the issue of union recognition of office workers and unhappiness about disciplinary action against another manager.

Opposition MP John Barritt characterised the dispute as a "falling out amongst friends'' and called on Government to "take a firm stand''.

But in a statement released late yesterday, Labour Minister Paula Cox said she referred the dispute to the tribunal after "representations'' by herself and the labour relations officer.

In addition, Ms Cox said she acted once employers and workers became "deadlocked'' and that when talks break down, the "recourse is to refer the matter to arbitration''.

Ms Cox said she "reacted promptly'' to news of the dispute once the notice of the overtime ban was tendered.

On the possible disruption of service during working hours, Ms Cox said she had "registered her concerns'' and requested that consideration be given to the scheduling of any meeting so that there is minimal disruption.

Saying the Trade Disputes Act is "specific'' on possible courses the tribunal can take, Ms Cox added: "It is for the tribunal to deal with the matter as they see fit in accordance with the legislation.'' The BIU meeting for all of its members is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Headquarters.