Union met yesterday in a bid to settle a disagreement over overtime payments at Hamilton Docks.

And discussions are due to be held again today, in conjunction with the Labour Relations Department, with the aim of finding a workable solution to the rift.

The dispute surrounds overtime payments for call-outs to service cargo vessels outside of normal working hours.

The company guarantees a minimum fee of four hours pay but the union is arguing that a call-out punctuated by a meal break should activate another payment.

Although an overtime ban was lifted by the BIU a week ago, workers have been refusing on an individual basis to work outside normal hours when requested by management.

Cargo vessels have been unloaded and loaded during the dispute, but management have been unable to continue work after 4.30 p.m.

It is not known if outside labour will have to be brought in if the unofficial overtime ban continues.

Last night Home Affairs Minister Maxwell Burgess confirmed both sides had met and he was awaiting the outcome of further meetings today.

BIU president Derrick Burgess said he was optimistic that a settlement could be reached.

Of the prospect of outside labour being brought in to cover overtime, he said: "I hope we don't even get to that stage. We want to keep it in a positive vein and hope and pray it works out.''