Hamilton dock-workers returned to work yesterday after the Government stepped in to bring six days of disruptions to an end.

Staff were ordered to return to work on Tuesday night after Jason Hayward, the labour minister, referred the dispute to the Labour Disputes Tribunal. It is illegal for workers to take any form of industrial action once a dispute has been sent to the tribunal.

The dispute, which began last Thursday, forced two container vessels to remain in port for extended stays with part of their cargoes still on board. Workers agreed to unload containers of essential and perishable goods only, leaving non-essential goods containers on the vessels.

A third container ship arrived in port on Tuesday afternoon. It is not known how long staff will take to clear the backlog.