Dockers have sealed a new two-year pay deal but Stevedoring Services are staying tight-lipped on the size of the award.

Yesterday the Portworkers Division of the Bermuda Industrial Union ratified the settlement which had been agreed between negotiators last week.

Stevedoring Services Human Resources and Operations Manager Milton Scott said the pay deal was complicated by restructuring when two new cranes replace the current pair, resulting in fewer men working on them.

He said: "There is no across the board pay increase because of the restructuring. There's no set percentage."

Currently dockers get between $803 and around $1,000 a week before overtime.

The deal will be backdated to April 1.

Mr. Scott added: "We don't anticipate any job losses."

Instead men will be moved on to dealing with loose cargo and stripping containers.

The settlement, reached after five or six meetings, was hailed by both sides.

A joint statement between unions and management said: "Both Stevedoring Services and the Portworkers Division of the BIU are pleased with the agreement and the effort both parties put into reaching a settlement without the need for arbitration or third party intervention."