BIU to the Supreme Court.

Company lawyer Mr. Alan Dunch last night held key strategy talks with management.

Earlier he announced he intended making an urgent application to the Supreme Court.

Last night's meeting came after Government yesterday officially referred the row with the Bermuda Industrial Union to the Trade Disputes Tribunal.

The board was created by the Trade Disputes Act, 1992, rushed through the House of Assembly after the Island-wide strike.

Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman set the hearing down for July 21, at the Cathedral Hall.

Two men have been provisionally appointed to the tribunal -- lawyer Mr. John Cooper, and accountant Mr. Cyril Whitter. Chairman will be lawyer Mr. Michael Mello.

Now union and management have until July 16 to give their views on the proposed appointees.

The dispute, revolving around 15 truckers who lost their jobs at Bermuda Forwarders, will be noticed in the Official Gazette on Friday.

News about Mr. Pearman's referral was contained in letters handed to both camps by a Labour relations officer.

Mr. Dunch announced receipt of the letter at yesterday's sitting of the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board, where he is representing Grotto Bay Hotel in a separate wrangle.

He told the hearing he received the letter at around 11.20 a.m.

"My intention is to make an urgent application to the Supreme Court,'' he said.

He added: "That application is in the process of being drafted. I will need to remove myself to go before the Supreme Court at the earliest opportunity.'' Later Mr. Dunch said he would be meeting representatives of Bermuda Forwarders to "take further instructions''.

He declined to comment in detail on any plans for an application to the Supreme Court.

It is believed, however, it would involve an injunction to prevent the disputes tribunal from sitting over the row.

Mr. Dunch went on to raise his eyebrows over a reference in Mr. Pearman's letter to 16 workers -- not 15.

The letter also started off "Dear Mr. Simmons'', he said.

Both errors, perhaps, characterised the state of the Labour and Home Affairs Ministry, suggested Mr. Dunch.

Last night Mr. Simmons shrugged off the prospect of a Supreme Court application.

"Quite frankly Mr. Dunch can do whatever he cares to do. All I know is that our instructions are to appear on the date of the hearing.'' Mr. Simmons said an application would only succeed in prolonging the dispute.

"If Mr. Dunch wants to stretch it out and that is his contribution to society, I have nothing to say,'' he said.

Asked about the possibility of a court application Mr. Pearman said last night: "So be it. That is for the tribunal to deal with.'' When contacted by The Royal Gazette last night company boss Mr. Toby Kempe refused to comment.

Mr. Dunch could also not be reached for comment, despite repeated attempts.