BTC operators downed tools yesterday morning to protest a scheduling issue but they were back to work in the afternoon when the dispute was resolved.

A BTC spokeswoman said the operators' sit-in kicked off at 9.30 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. following a meeting between management and union representatives.

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) president Derrick Burgess last night said: "A meeting was held this afternoon with management, union organisers and divisional shop stewards and it has all been sorted out.'' The BTC spokeswoman said: "BTC operators returned to work at 2 p.m. this afternoon after a scheduling issue was amicably resolved by BTC's top management and BIU officials.

"The situation was based upon a misunderstanding regarding scheduling part-time staff.'' The spokeswoman apologised for any inconvenience the sit in may have caused.

Last October the BIU was involved in some 30 grievance cases at BTC and the permanent arbitration tribunal was forced to step in after the two parties could not reach a settlement.

In other telecommunication news yesterday, the Ministry of Health and Family Service reported that the phone lines at its Hamilton Health Centre were out of service.

Although the phone at Ministry headquarters (236-0224) was working, calls could not be transferred to any of the Ministry's extension numbers.

A spokesman for the Ministry apologised to the public for any inconvenience.

The problem was discovered last Friday and BTC is currently working on repairs to the system.