Both sides in the ACE building construction dispute upped the stakes yesterday with the Bermuda Industrial Union moving a step closer to calling an Island-wide strike and the construction firms launching a writ against the union.

The BIU is calling an emergency meeting of all its members at 11 a.m. today to ballot them over further action.

And the four firms affected in the ACE strike are to sue the BIU. They are Precision-Somers Joint Venture, Precision Construction Ltd, Somers Construction Ltd, and Pembroke Steel Erectors Ltd.

The shock move contradicts the conciliatory noises Precision had been making over the weekend with spokesman Roger Russell hinting that a settlement was likely today.

Mr. Russell and other Precision officials would not comment on the writ, which was entered in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon.

Precision owner David Dunkley refused to comment on whether the writ sought an injunction against the union which would force the strikers back to work.

BIU First Vice-President Chris Furbert refused to shed any light on the outcome of today's emergency meeting after pointing out that any decision would have to come from the members who will assemble at BIU HQ.

Yesterday 54 union shop stewards and division presidents met to discuss the dispute with Precision-Somers at the ACE building site in Bermudiana Road, Pembroke.

Mr. Furbert said: "The mood was very upbeat but they were a little bit disgusted that the company hasn't wanted to meet with us for the past three to four weeks.'' Mr. Furbert said Precision had fired another worker on Thursday and only his reinstatement along with that of the other eight workers who had already lost their jobs would pacify the union.

Mr. Furbert said: "I would have thought the company would have taken up the Labour Relations Officer's assistance to meet and sort this out.

"The firing was unjustifiable. We are bringing the general membership to this meeting to bring them up to date and see what's going to be our next move.

"This is a democratic organisation. Whatever happens at this meeting is up to the members of the BIU.'' The union has around 4,000 members but a quorum is needed to make any decision binding, although there was no word on what that number would be.

Precision Mr. Furbert said he was unaware of the writ launched against the union and refused to speculate on it.

Despite the legal action threatening his union, Mr. Furbert said he still thought a settlement was possible, although he had not heard directly from Precision-Somers.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said she was willing to personally help out.

She said: "The Ministry is continuing its efforts to try to get both parties to the table to resolve the current labour dispute.

"Members of the Labour Relations Office have made themselves available as mediators and I am also available to participate in these talks if necessary.'' Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said he was concerned the company had not spoken to either the Labour Relations Officer or the union since the strike broke out on Thursday.