Unionised staff at the Department of Marine and Ports have opted to “work to rule”, a tactic in which minimum contracted duties are performed, as their rift with management continues over the director of the department.

In a meeting scheduled for 10am today at the Bermuda Industrial Union, staff will gather to hear a response from Derrick Binns, the Cabinet Secretary, to their concerns about director, Richard Russell.

BIU president Chris Furbert said the union had issued notice last Friday to the Government over their intention to adopt a work-to-rule policy.

According to sources within the department, the action has the potential to jeopardise charters planned for youngsters over this weekend’s America’s Cup races. However, unspecified contingency plans are also said to be under consideration.

Today’s meeting at the BIU may cause some “minimum disruption” to ferry services, a spokeswoman for the department said last night.

According to a senior source in the department, scheduled ferry runs are unlikely to be affected, but there could be an impact on special ferries for cruise ships. Staff are said to be aggrieved at the management style of Lieutenant Commander Russell, who was appointed director in July of last year.

Some ferry services were suspended last night: the Pink route to Paget and Warwick was suspended from 4pm, with the 10pm Blue route from Hamilton to Dockyard also called off.

No cause was given for last night’s suspensions.

• Editor’s note: The BIU announced the overtime ban ended at its press conference today. See www.royalgazette.com/article/20151015/NEWS/151019784 for the full story.