Former Bermuda Cablevision general manager Don Greiner has denied a fight over union recognition led to his retirement from the company.

Mr. Greiner, who joined Cablevision in 1988, blamed health problems and burnout for his departure -- and said unionisation could help the Island's sole cable TV provider.

In a faxed statement yesterday, Mr. Greiner explained his move came after a year of fighting heart problems and he flatly denied he was resigning in response to the vote recently by staff to unionise with the Bermuda Industrial Union -- contrary to one insider's statement that Mr. Greiner "wasn't too happy''.

Mr. Greiner added: "...It is probably a positive move to give the employees a better structure and detailed written instructions to abide by.'' He said he requested a leave of absence at the beginning of 1998 to seek treatment for a "very serious aorta aneurysm'' and follow up surgeries.

In the fax -- sent from his new home in North Carolina -- Mr. Greiner thanked Cablevision Directors staff for their support and continued operations during his absence.

He added: "I will miss Bermuda and it's people, but unless I can give 110 percent it is time to step aside.'' The row over unionisation heated up on August 31 when some staff picketed Cablevision's Laffan Street headquarters.

The service department employees finally won recognition by the BIU in September after nine of 15 workers voted for labour rights.

Mr. Greiner is an American and has been at the helm of Cablevision since 1988 when the company had just achieved the right to distribute cable television to the Island.