Marine and Ports dispute.

The Bermuda Industrial Union and Marine and Ports officials spent yesterday locked in an arbitration session and by late afternoon an agreement had been reached.

BIU president Derrick Burgess said the deal had both sides' consent but would not reveal any of its details.

The binding arbitration, which was chaired by Barry Meade, took place after mediation failed on Monday.

Mr. Burgess said: "With Barry Meade's help we were able to come to a resolution today. I am happy because it was a Bermudian solution -- it was a satisfying solution for everybody.'' During the talks, the 90 Marine and Ports workers have remained at work, following a walk-out a week ago.

For two days there was no ferry or tug service as workers staged a protest over the return to work of tug pilot Kenneth Todd, who had been absent for a year since his involvement in the confrontation over the sinking of the Chinese freighter Xing Da .

Although arbitration had ordered Mr. Todd's return to work, there were still outstanding grievances involving his crew, which led to the walk-out.

The staff returned to work on Saturday after Government sought an injunction against the BIU.

Government blue collar workers last night reached agreement in their pay negotiations.

Mr. Burgess said an agreement was ratified yesterday on wages and working conditions.

About 900 workers will get a wage increase of three percent in the first year, three percent the following year and 2.98 percent in the third year.