The outcome of talks yesterday between striking dockworkers and management company Stevedoring Services were being kept under wraps by both sides last night.

Docks staff did arrive for duty in the morning, but no unloading of cargo was carried out throughout the day. Non-union administrative staff continued to work. It is understood managers did carry out minor manual duties at the dockside.

Yesterday afternoon Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox called a meeting between Bermuda Industrial Union heads and the management staff of Stevedoring Services.

Representing the union was president and Government backbencher Derrick Burgess along with BIU first vice president Chris Furbert. Opposite them sat Stevedoring Services president Michael Lohan and the firm's head of human resources -- newly appointed Education Minister Milton Scott.

And as the second day of strike action drew to a close both parties were only prepared to say that the talks had gone well and that they were confident an agreement would be reached.

Both sides did agree on one thing -- not to speak to the Press about the talks.

But The Royal Gazette understands that about 60 staff walked off the job on Monday afternoon after a colleague was suspended for 24 hours over a dishonesty matter.

Staff argued that the disciplinary process had not been followed through by management and as a result, declared an unofficial strike, claiming that, because management were not playing by the rules, they should not be obliged to either.

On the first day of action, Shadow Labour Minister Michael Dunkley declared the strike illegal.

And last night Mr. Burgess, although keeping tight-lipped, hinted that he too believed the workers acted illegally.

"One may say that but one must also ask if an injustice is illegal,'' he said. "But I think things will work out by the end of tomorrow.'' Both Ms Cox and Mr. Lohan refused to comment at all other than to confirm that the meeting had been held and that discussions were continuing.

"We are at an extremely delicate stage,'' Mr. Lohan said.