crisis between staff and managers at the Bermuda Telephone Company.

Labour Minister Quinton Edness told The Royal Gazette last night that he would hand-pick a team of three to lead a special Board of Inquiry investigation.

It is understood the Board could include a judge or magistrate, a leading businessman and a former union leader.

And the Minister said the Board would make legally binding recommendations which could force new policies at both BTC and the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Around 200 BTC staff called off a four-day unofficial strike yesterday and went back to work at 8 a.m.

Lengthy meetings between senior BTC executives and BIU leaders began at 9.30 and lasted all day.

But neither camp would comment on the negotiations which have centred on a decision to suspend one worker for two days.

The union is also demanding payment for workers who took an hour off to protest to the BIU and then staged the impromptu walkout.

Acting BIU President Chris Furbert said last night: "I have no comment to make.

"I have come to an agreement with the company that nobody will say anything to the press while negotiations are continuing.'' BTC spokeswoman Karla Lacey Minors also refused to comment. But it is understood talks will resume first thing on Monday.

Mr. Edness said: "The union workers went back to their jobs at 8 a.m. and as far as I know the discussions have so far been going very well.'' He added that the Department of Labour and Home Affairs had received a string of letters from disgruntled BTC workers, including a group who threatened legal action against the company last year.

Mr. Edness said: "We have had a number of complaints from the employees of BTC for some time about labour and management practices.

"We would like to see the company be absolutely first class with its management-employee relations but we have had a number of negative reports from staff.''