Hamilton dockworkers have called off their unofficial industrial action after a temporary agreement was reached with management yesterday.

But a new collective agreement will still have to be thrashed out between workers and Stevedoring Services management in fresh negotiations due to start next week.

Yesterday both parties were remaining tight-lipped about how a temporary resolution had been reached.

But The Royal Gazette understands that the wildcat action was called off following the intervention of Ministry of Labour representatives.

Workers began a sick-out last week following a row over unionisation. While union bosses argued that administration staff and dock workers should both be included in the same collective agreement, it is understood management wanted the two divisions to have separate contracts.

But sources close to the dispute, who did not wish to be named, confirmed that it was now "business as usual'' at the dock with no problems on the horizon.

And they added that, following talks yesterday morning, in which "a number of issues were hammered out'', there was now a far better understanding between the two sides.

It is understood that discussions for a new collective agreement will start next week when Bermuda Industrial Union first vice president Chris Furbert returns to the Island.

Last night Labour and Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox, who, until yesterday had been keeping a watching brief on the dispute, confirmed that the Ministry had been drafted in to help resolve the dispute.

But she declined to expand on how the settlement had been reached.

"The Ministry was involved with the discussions that took place but people are keeping it confidential,'' she said.

"There are still some issues that are being talked about and I do not think it would be appropriate for me to comment further.

"But obviously the Ministry is very happy with the way things are working out.'' Last night Stevedoring Services president Michael Lohan refused to comment.

The go-slow severely disrupted the handling of cargo arriving in Hamilton, with several container vessels having to delay their departure while they waited to be unloaded.

Container Ship Management Ltd. president Geoffrey Frith, who earlier had made a personal appeal for Ms. Cox to intervene in the dispute, said he was relieved that work had resumed.

"That's good news -- I'm glad the Minister decided to step in,'' he said last night.

UNIONS UNS