tribunal gave its unionised workers last week, Telco lawyer Mr. Mark Diel said yesterday.

Mr. Diel said his client had asked for advice on all its options in light of the award, which gives 242 members of the Bermuda Industrial Union's telephone division wage increases of 3.6 percent in each year of a contract covering 1994 and 1995.

Asked if that meant an appeal was being considered, he said it was.

Telco and the BIU went to final offer arbitration on the wage portion of the 1994-95 contract.

It requires the tribunal to select one of the party's final offers and prohibits the tribunal from fashioning an award other than one advanced by one of the parties.

Telco's final offer was a three percent increase in each of the two years. The BIU's telephone workers were expected to ratify the award in a vote late yesterday afternoon.

The tribunal, appointed in September by Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman, was made up of Canon Rev. James Francis, Senate President the Hon. Albert Jackson, and Mr. William Hobgood.