Dock workers have lifted their overtime ban after a threat of legal action.

The port workers division of the Bermuda Industrial Union dropped their embargo on overtime call-outs at Stevedoring Services yesterday, after they were served with an injunction.

Management at the company are expecting the 61 staff to do overtime should the need arise over the weekend, but it is understood stern action would be taken against any individuals who still refused to work overtime.

BIU president Derrick Burgess confirmed the ban had been lifted.

He said: "The port workers division of the Bermuda Industrial Union have decided to lift the ban on overtime which was put in place.

"They have asked their attorney to take this matter to court immediately to discharge the injunction.'' When asked what the union's next step would be, Mr. Burgess said they wanted to deal with the injunction first, and hadn't decided on their next move.

Stevedoring Services president Michael Lohan said the company had not been officially informed that the union had decided to lift the ban, although he added they would not expect to have been told.

"We are working on the assumption that our men are law-abiding individuals and will work the overtime as required by the collective bargaining agreement and the law,'' he said.

It is understood that any further refusal to do overtime by individual workers would be in contravention of the collective bargaining agreement and would lay those workers open to disciplinary action.

In addition, it would also provide the company with the possibility of legal action against those refusing to do overtime.