-- despite a long series of negotiations between the two warring parties.

And although some workers did show up for duty, shipping owners are becoming increasingly concerned that the wildcat action could cost their companies thousands of dollars.

Staff at the facility have been staging a sick-out since last week, causing massive delays to the handling of cargo. Reasons for the dispute have not yet been disclosed.

Yesterday just one of the two dock cranes was in operation, allowing cargo from the Oleander container ship to be unloaded. But a second container ship, which arrived yesterday, has still to be unloaded.

Throughout the day yesterday representatives from Stevedoring Services could not be reached to comment on the dispute.

Company president Michael Lohan is expected to issue a statement later today.

Last night Geoffrey Frith, president of Container Ship Management Ltd., the company that handles the two vessels, said: "There has been some work today and I understand that two crane drivers turned up for work which meant one crane could operate.

"The Oleander is being worked on right now and will sail in the morning but that means she will be 24 hours behind schedule. Somers Isles which got in today has not been worked on except for the refrigerated containers.

"We are in a very awkward position and it's seriously affecting us because we can't give the level of service which our customers expect. We now have a shortage of containers so we're going to have to lease some on short term lease which is going to add to our costs.

"We're due back on Sunday evening but at this stage I doubt if we will and if this pattern continues we're just going to get further and further behind.

"Stevedoring doesn't seem to be able to perform. I know that if any of our staff were sick, then management would go out and make sure that our customers got the service -- they're not doing that.

"We have had this situation over the last four or five months and it's very frustrating.

"If we treated our customers the way the docks treat us we wouldn't have any customers.'' Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess confirmed that talks had been taking place throughout the day.

But he added that he had had no direct involvement in any negotiations and was unwilling to say when the dispute would end.

"All I can say is that talks are continuing and I am optimistic that things will work out,'' Mr. Burgess said. "The workers have been holding talks with management but I have not had any formal talks myself.'' DOCKS SHI