The Airport firefighters dispute has been referred to the Permanent Arbitration Tribunal after talks broke down.

Some firefighters have been refusing to work a new rota system, which was introduced last Saturday, after claiming they were not consulted properly on the matter or given the required 14 days notice before it was introduced.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Paula Cox said her department had been trying to mediate between the firefighters and their employers, Serco Aviation Services, since Saturday without success.

She said: "The continued operation of the International Airport is vital to the economy of the Island. As a result, the Labour Relations Officer has been working assiduously to try to resolve the matter.

"It has now been referred to the Permanent Arbitration Tribunal under the essential services provisions of the Labour Relations Act 1975.

"We trust that this now provides the mechanism for resolving the outstanding issues and enables this essential service to function as it should as a key element of the operations of the airport, especially in light of our international aviation designation.'' Bermuda Industrial Union Vice President Chris Furbert said last night: "I haven't had a chance to speak to the workers yet. I'll speak to them tomorrow and comment then.'' Earlier yesterday the union said it was still hoping talks would continue and it was hoping to meet in a bid to end the dispute.

Mr. Furbert said he was disappointed he had been unable to arrange a meeting yesterday to discuss the problems, but hoped to do so today.

He said: "I have made it clear that we are willing and able to meet at a moment's notice. Hopefully, the whole issue will be resolved soon.'' The BIU had denied the men were striking and said they were still turning up for their original shifts. Mr. Furbert said whether or not the men were being utilised was entirely up to the Serco management.

Airport dispute sent to tribunal But he said they were abiding by their contracts and he expected them to be paid.

Serco Bermuda Contracts Manager Richard Savard has failed to confirm or deny the root of the problem, and yesterday failed to reply to calls from The Royal Gazette .

However, he said earlier in the week that some firefighters did not want to work and others did, and only those that wanted to work were being used.

A spokesman for the Airport said the issue was being handled by Serco and all passenger flight arrivals were being manned by the firefighters.

UNIONS UNS