Belco workers have decided not to stage an illegal strike, it was reported last night.

Television news carried a report which indicated the decision was made at an Electricity Supply Union (ESU) meeting.

The ESU had threatened to walk out on January 31 over a dispute about salary scales and job reclassification. Mediation talks between the union and managers broke down at the end of last week and the matter is now to be referred to the Permanent Arbitration Tribunal in line with provisions in the Labour Relations Act.

Any walk-out during the arbitration period would be against the law. However, one worker had told The Royal Gazette earlier this week that many union members were so unhappy with the attitude of Belco managers over their wage demands that they would consider a walk out anyway.

No one from the ESU could be reached for comment last night.