union leader Mr. Ottiwell Simmons MP today.

The breakthrough follows a day of turmoil at the airport caused by huge traffic snarl-ups.

Rain-drenched tourists yesterday were forced to hotfoot it from their taxis to make departure times.

And some flights were even reportedly delayed for late passengers.

Today's meeting around the negotiating table -- set up by Government -- follows a marathon standoff.

"I think there are grounds for optimism,'' Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman said last night.

Mr. Simmons declared: "This is the first sign of anyone being interested in a discussion.'' And he said the transport divisions would meet at 5 p.m. today with the general council of the Bermuda Industrial Union.

The meetings come amid mounting fears of a heavy toll on Bermuda's money spinning tourism industry.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan declared yesterday: "It is a shame that the country is being held to ransom by a dispute involving a private company and a trade union.'' Industrial strife involving the airport, docks, ferries, tugs, and buses seems set to continue today and the rest of this week.

Yesterday several rain-sodden tourists leaped from taxis as airport picketers caused huge traffic queues.

As vital minutes ticked away until departure times, some hauled their luggage from the Causeway and the roundabout.

One visitor was left stranded in sheeting rain at Grotto Bay after the cabby told her it was quicker to walk.

Luckily, she was picked up and taken to the airport by a kind-hearted passer-by, Mr George Powell.

"If there was an emergency at the airport what would happen?'' he asked.

Twenty-year-old Mr. Philip Musson, from Newport, jumped from his taxi at the Causeway.

"I was getting worried about missing my flight. The weather is foul, but I had to get out,'' he said, rainwater dripping from his face.

Mr. Musson, laden with baggage, had taken part in the Newport-Bermuda yacht race.

New Yorker Mr. Bill Heinz, struggling with his knapsack, had a similar story.

"We had no choice, we had to run for it despite the rain.'' he said.

Mr. Heinz and his pal Mr. Brad Decker, from Maryland, spoke to The Royal Gazette as they fled from their taxi at the roundabout.

Another tourist Mr. Dean Allen said: "It's a shame visitors leave the Island with a bitter feeling.'' He added: "It is also more expensive for the tourists. The taxi meter keeps going during the hold-up.'' Other tourists were putting a brave face on the disruption.

Mrs. Hanna Calcagni, of Connecticut, returning from holiday with her husband, Steven, said: "Yes, there was a little wait, but we were more bothered by the rain.'' Mr. John Geisel, from Boston, who was on the Trilogy in the Newport-Bermuda race, called for firmer Police action.

"They should take control of the situation. Transport to the airport shouldn't be hindered. The show must go on.'' Yesterday around 12 picketers outside the airport, watched by Police, defied the weather throughout the day.

Taxis were crossing the picket line -- but traffic was backed up at one stage as far as The Swizzle Inn. The picture was the same on Saturday.

There were reports of some flights being delayed for late passengers.

Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall yesterday said he was concerned about the impact on tourists.

But he was confident many were resilient, and could face some inconvenience.

The airport problems prompted a Press conference yesterday afternoon with the Police Commissioner Lenny Edwards.

He said he would be holding talks with senior officers monitoring the airport.

"I want to find out whether there have been any offences against the Labour Relations Act.'' A report could be sent on to the Attorney General Mr. Walter Maddocks.

Offences could include obstruction.

"I understand people have been inconvenienced at the airport and there is a possibility of it happening again tomorrow,'' said Mr. Edwards.

Among those picketing the airport yesterday was Mr. Simmons, president of the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Looking exhausted, he said: "Everything is fine. I've been here since sunrise. The action will continue throughout the week unless there is a resolution.'' Mr. Simmons denounced Government efforts to mediate, saying: "They have been derelict in their duties. They have done virtually nothing.'' Later he appeared to tone down his stance following news of Bermuda Forwarders boss Mr. Toby Kempe's agreement to talks.

But he vowed industrial action would continue until union demands were met -- the reinstatement of 15 truckers who lost their jobs at Bermuda Forwarders.

Mr. Simmons said the former truckers would be summoned to a 9 a.m. meeting at union headquarters today to be briefed on latest developments.

Shop stewards in the hotel division would also be holding a meeting at 3 p.m.

Mr. Pearman said he had explored "a number of avenues'' at yesterday's meeting with Mr. Kempe.

"At my urging they agreed to meet with Mr. Simmons, with myself in the role of facilitator.'' Mr. Pearman said the agreement to meet at 10.30 a.m. today was a big step forward after months of standoff.

He rejected Mr. Simmons' complaints of Government's attempts to mediate.

Independent MP Harry Viera, however, last night called for a tougher Government stance against the BIU.

Legislation should be enforced against the union -- and, if necessary, Mrs.

Thatcher's anti-strike laws in Britain adopted here.

Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira will be making an announcement about garbage collection today.

"At this stage we are in limbo. We are not really in a position to advise the public,'' he said last night.

Dr. Terceira suggested householders could use the Marsh Folly dump site, which is open between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day.

Mr. Larry Jacobs, assistant director of Public Transport Board, said there would be no buses today.

"We would have to know by 5 p.m. the previous day in order to have any chance of operating the service the following day.'' Mr. Jacobs added: "We are somewhat of a bystander in this dispute, but all the transport divisions have gone on strike.'' Mr. Ron Ross, director of Marine and Ports, offered a similarly bleak outlook: There will be no ferries tomorrow. We have not been notified otherwise.'' The Premier said in part: "I know that the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, the Hon. John Irving Pearman, and the labour officers have been working extremely hard to find a basis on which the parties to the dispute, Bermuda Forwarders and the Bermuda Industrial Union, can agree. Regrettably, that has not yet happened.

"Notwithstanding that lack of success, behind-the-scenes work continues in an effort to find a satisfactory solution.

"While these efforts are underway, I must again urge the parties themselves to use whatever measure of goodwill exists to try and bring this dispute quickly to an end...

"I therefore appeal to both sides to examine ways in which a compromise can be sought and this dispute brought to an end.

"With the Island's economy not yet recovering, industrial action of this kind poses the greatest threat to an opportunity for that recovery to take place.

It is a shame that the Country is being held to ransom by a dispute between a private company and a trade union.

"I am particularly concerned about the effects the industrial action is having on the tourism industry through action at the airport, at the Dockyard and on buses, taxis and ferries.

"I have been especially distressed to learn that some taxi drivers are dropping their passengers off at the roundabout at the entrance to the airport, leaving them to struggle as best they can with their bags to the terminal building itself. And this, through the inclement weather Bermuda has been experiencing for the past few days.

"That is not the sort of treatment that is likely to guarantee a return of our visitors and, frankly, there is no reason why our visitors ought to be subjected to the consequences of a dispute which has absolutely nothing to do with them.

"Already, reports of industrial action in Bermuda has filtered overseas and it is obvious that travel agents are not going to recommend to their clients a vacation in a country where the buses are not running, where the ferries are not operating, and where they must walk a couple of hundred yards to get to the airport terminal building, carrying their own bags.

"Even at this late hour, it is open to Bermuda Forwarders and the Bermuda Industrial Union to pull the Island back from the brink of serious economic damage. I, therefore, call on everyone to recognise the damage being done to Bermuda.

"The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs continued with meetings throughout the weekend in an effort to try to find a solution. In the circumstances, I urge the workers to return to work and I call on employers not to take any action which will exacerbate the situation and make the search for a satisfactory solution that much more difficult...

"The Government continues to be ready to assist in facilitating a mutually acceptable agreement so that the economy can get back to normal, the people of Bermuda can go back to a normal routine and the Island can once again welcome visitors with the degree of hospitality and warmth that has made Bermuda one of the best vacation destinations in the world.

"I hope, therefore, that Bermuda Forwarders and the Bermuda Industrial Union will use every effort and exhaust every avenue to seek a quick solution to this dispute which, if not resolved, will put the livelihoods and jobs of the entire community seriously at risk.'' DEFYING THE RAIN -- Umbrellas were the order of the day as picketers continued their protest yesterday outside the airport.