management and show up to work.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess last night told The Royal Gazette that despite BTC schedules indicating some workers would not be paid for the day, BIU workers are planning to report anyway.

"The company (BTC) has schedules indicating some would be off, but the workers want to and will abide by the ruling of the (Telecommunications) Commission,'' Mr. Burgess said.

Workers from both the BIU and Bermuda Public Services Association were told last week that BTC -- in a bid to stem a tide of red ink -- would be slashing salaries ten percent, effectively telling workers to work nine days out of ten.

Mr. Burgess was staying tight lipped however, on what action the Union would take should the telephone company refuse to pay staff who showed up to work in defiance of the new schedule.

"The thing, BTC are going contrary to the ruling of the Commission and in our opinion they will be liable (for the wages),'' Mr. Burgess said.

"We will take whatever steps are necessary to get those folks paid.'' BTC crews start work at 8 a.m., with operators starting earlier. The BIU represents about 200 BTC workers.

UNIONS UNS