Dockworkers returned to the job Tuesday morning, after more than two days of industrial action, on agreement from both sides that the dispute over the dismissal of a fellow employee, will go to voluntary arbitration.
This after talks with Home Affairs Minister Walton Brown between Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) President Chris Furbert and Stevedoring Services CEO Warren Jones, aimed at “brokering an agreement between the two parties to bring the dock strike to an end”.
In a statement released yesterday, the Minister said both the BIU and Stevedoring Services have agreed to voluntary arbitration. Stevedoring Services also agreed to withdraw the Supreme Court Action, due to go before the courts on Tuesday morning when the workers agreed to go back to work.
The Minister said: “One of my main objectives as the Minister responsible for labour is that we have good labour relations in this country, meaning that when issues or disputes arise, we can resolve them amicably prior to the unfolding of more dramatic action.
“I am very grateful that both parties were open to having these discussions with me and I want to thank the two of them for helping to further the mutual trust between us, which is key in getting us beyond these kinds of divides.”
Meanwhile, the Oleander was discharged yesterday. Earlier, Mr Jones also confirmed that 32 containers with essential items came off the Bermuda Islander, which is expected to arrive back in Bermuda on Thursday, with the rest of the non-perishable goods that were not offloaded on her last call in port.
