Dispute a huge blow for struggling docks

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12: Hamilton docks could be crippled by a double whammy of declining imports and industrial action as the shrinking economy takes its toll on the waterfront.

Dockers called an overtime ban on Wednesday in protest at attempts to cut their working week.

The move is expected to seriously disrupt shipping schedules and cause delays in fresh food reaching grocery  shelves and restaurant kitchens.

Some retailers expressed fears a protracted industrial dispute could strangle the island, mirroring the 1980 general strike when Bermuda ran out of essentials like toilet paper.

The firm that unloads the containers on the Front Street docks says the steady decline in imports, means there is often no work for its staff.

Peter Aldrich, CEO of Stevedoring Services, said a new deal with workers was a “matter of financial survival” for the firm.

But the Bermuda Industrial Union says its members can’t afford to lose their regular working hours in the midst of a recession.

Mr Aldrich said the decline in containers was a direct result of Bermuda’s struggling economy

“We are the pulse of the local economy. If you want to see how strong Bermuda’s economy is count the number of containers coming into the island. I could probably make more money marking out tennis courts on the docks here right now. This is supposed to be peak period. In previous years the main ships would be bringing in almost 200 containers. “Now sometimes it is barely 100.”

The number of containers arriving aboard the Oleander to fill Bermuda’s shops, businesses and living rooms, has declined by ten per cent each year since the crash in 2008.

Dockers are being asked to accept a minimum number of hours per week, which would mean a reduction in salary during slow periods.

Mr Aldrich said he wanted to keep all 42 unionised staff employed: “We don’t want to cut jobs. I have the amount of staff I need but when there is no work we need a compromise.”

He added that some employees, whose jobs relate directly to unloading ships, had nothing to do for almost half of their working hours.

“We need to reduce this non-productive time.”

He accepted that any deal which meant a reduction in pay would be hard to swallow in the midst of a recession.

But he said Bermuda’s new economic reality meant that change was necessary.

“This is a matter of financial survival for the company. If I can’t find a way for the business to survive, I can’t generate employment.

“We are asking them to accept change. That change is unpalatable.

“I understand why they are opposing it, I would probably oppose it too. Things are changing and unfortunately this is the reality of Bermuda’s new economy.”