Disputes between two Government departments and the Bermuda Industrial Union grew yesterday, with Parks Department workers downing tools and ferry service remaining suspended despite an injunction.

In an e-mail to Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy forwarded to the media, BIU president Chris Furbert said that Parks Department staff voted on Thursday to down to down tools during Divisional Meeting organised to discuss a series of matters that had not been addressed.

And in another meeting the same day, he said the Marine and Ports Division voted unanimously that their dispute should not have been referred to arbitration by Minister Shawn Crockwell.

“The executive of the BIU repeatedly informed members of the Marine and Ports Division of the legal affect of the injunction and the obligation they were now under as a result of the injunction being served upon the union,” Mr Furbert wrote.

“In response to questions, I informed the workers of the legal sanctions which could result from failure to comply with the injunction and advise the workers that as a matter of law they must now return to work.

“Candidly, the workers were neither happy nor satisfied with what I told them. They vociferously responded to me by saying arbitration has done nothing to resolve this dispute over the last three years. I also need to let you know there was a lot of anger in the room regarding how the workers believe they are being handled by Government.

“The members of the Marine and Ports division, after considering what the BIU president said to them, unanimously voted that the matter should not have been referred to arbitration.”

Mr Furbert said both the divisions have made numerous complaints both in writing and verbally over the last three years and voiced concerns in Joint Consultation Committee meetings about how the departments are being managed.

“They are therefore requesting a Board of Inquiry be set up to investigate the ‘mismanagement’ at the Department of Marine and Ports and the Department of Parks,” Mr Furbert said. “As a result of the decision taken by the members of the Marine and Ports Division, it is the opinion of the Executive Board of the BIU that these matters should be resolved by a Board of Inquiry.”

A Public Works spokeswoman yesterday confirmed that some operations at the Marsh Folly Facility had been impacted by Parks workers downing tools, but noted that some staff remained on duty.

“The Ministry advised that discussions are underway between representatives from the Department of Workforce Development and the BIU to seek a resolution,” the spokeswoman said. “The Department of Parks is also willing to continue discussions with the Union.

“As it relates to Ministers of the Government being involved in dispute mediation, the Government wishes to clarify that there will be no direct involvement or action taken by any Government Minister in the discussions surrounding the dispute as Ministers do not have authority or responsibility for staffing issues.

“Such matters are the responsibility of the Public Service.”

The spokeswoman said that workers who engaged in the “irregular industrial action” would not be paid for the hours of work missed, and that Sen Fahy is closely monitoring developments.

Sen Fahy said: “Today’s actions are regrettable as there should have been adequate notice given to management about any proposed industrial action.

“We’re hoping that we can resolve this matter as soon as possible to avoid any further disruption of service.”