Dockers lift OT ban for cruise ships

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26: Dockworkers temporarily lifted their overtime ban yesterday to help cruise passengers leave the island.

The Stevedore staff continued to work past 5pm yesterday so that the Veendam was able to leave the island early and stay ahead of Hurricane Irene on her way back to New York.

The Veendam, along with the two Dockyard cruise ships Celebrity Summit and Norwegian Dawn, left a day early last night to avoid crossing paths with the hurricane that has caused widespread damage in the Bahamas.

Around a dozen Stevedore staff worked an extra hour to help untie the Veendam yesterday afternoon so she could leave on her new schedule.

Bermuda Industrial Union president, Chris Furbert, told the Bermuda Sun his members were happy to help in an emergency situation.

He said: “We got a call from the agent saying that they needed the guys to help after 5pm so that the Veendam could avoid the hurricane.

“I told them we would be happy to help them get the job done. So the overtime ban is not lifted as it were, it just means that we will accommodate emergency situations.

“Hopefully this shows good will on behalf of the BIU and proves we will co-operate.

“The guys will get the job done and make sure these passengers get home safely.”

The overtime ban at Hamilton docks has been in place since August 10.

And despite discussions between the union and Stevedoring Services Ltd it does not look like it will end any time soon.

Joe Simas, from Meyer Freight, which acts as the agent for the Veendam, said: “This was a great gesture by the workers.

“The ships have all had to leave early to avoid the hurricane so we greatly appreciated the workers staying beyond their usual finishing time to help out.

“It was a nice gesture that ensured all the cruise passengers got away ahead of the hurricane.”

Yesterday afternoon the Carnival Fantasy cruise ship cancelled its trip to Bermuda from Charleston due to Hurricane Irene.

She had been due to arrive on the island at the weekend.