Overtime ban stays as union backs dockers

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23: An overtime ban will remain in force at Hamilton Docks, the Bermuda Industrial Union announced today.

BIU president Chris Furbert claimed the disruption of two weeks of action had been “totally exaggerated”.

He maintained that the most important consideration to dockers was to secure their 37-and-a-half-hour work week and their income.

But shipping lines say the overtime ban has resulted in schedule disruption and extra expense.

Geoffrey Frith, president of Bermuda Container Lines, said: “This overtime ban has had a real impact on us.

“Ships have been delayed and we have been forced to burn extra fuel to ensure they remain vaguely on schedule.

“Less empty containers are being taken back to the US and the impact will snowball the longer it goes on for.”

Joe Simas, general manager of Meyer Freight, added: “The Somers Isles had to spend another five days in port due to the overtime ban.

“We have already started leasing out empty containers in the US because we have not been able to take back as many empties as usual.

Challenges

“All it will take is a couple of days of rain and the schedules will be seriously affected.

“We are just hoping that they can work this out and we can get back to working normally.”

The dispute between Stevedore Services and the BIU has centred on the issue of “non-productive time” where workers have nothing to do because of the reduction in cargo at the docks.

Stevedoring Services put forward the idea of a shorter work week but the offer was rejected by the BIU as it would mean loss of income.

Mr Furbert told a press conference today that the union had never agreed to put the dispute before an arbitration tribunal.

He said the Privy Council had already decided that overtime was not a matter that could go to arbitration.

He proposed a return to the days of container royalties, where workers were paid money depending on the weight of containers.

He added: “The men are down there working and making sure the ships are being unloaded.

“The result of the overtime ban will cause some challenges.

“All the complaints about delays in containers being unloaded have been unfair to the dock workers. The public should know the facts.

“The inconvenience caused has been totally exaggerated.

“We are going to continue with the overtime ban and see if we can find a way forward. We have to get this situation resolved.”

Peter Aldrich, boss of Stevedoring Services told the Bermuda Sun he was still hopeful the dispute would go to arbitration.

“The Minister has referred the matter for arbitration and we still want that to happen,” he said.

“Unfortunately the two sides are still no closer to an agreement.

“The issue of container royalties which has now been raised is beyond our remit.

“And that would effectively shift the financial burden onto the public, which would not be fair.

“Our workers are one of the highest paid industrial workers’ groups in Bermuda and they have very good benefits too.”

Senator Kim Wilson, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, said last night: “A Labour Relations Officer is currently engaged in mediating the issue with the relevant parties. It is my sincere hope that a timely resolution will be achieved.”