wildcat walkout on Friday night.

Around ten workers -- who walked out in a dispute over pay and overseas managers -- were back at work on Saturday as normal, Four Star chief Marico Thomas said last night.

He said: "It was bit of a storm in a teacup -- the person who led the action was one of our junior managers and her performance had been challenged by the manager who is non-Bermudian.'' And he dismissed claims that overseas managers were paid nearly double that paid to Bermudian managers doing the same job -- $700 a week compared to $380 a week.

Mr. Thomas said: "All of our managers are being paid the same pay for the same positions. The idea that we could get somebody to work for $380 a week is ridiculous in the first place.

"All our managers get paid equal amounts for equal positions.'' The dispute boiled over on Friday night, with one worker, who asked not to be named, complaining that a particular overseas manager treated staff "like dirt'' and who was not disciplined for the same things he punished the staff for.

Mr. Thomas said he met with the staff at the Angle Street outlet on Friday night, after they downed tools and walked off the job around 8 p.m.

He said: "I would say, generally speaking, that in every instance where a manager has tried to improve the performance of a store, they have been met with some resistance and that's part of the issue here.

"There's been an effort to improve performance and that means something has to be said if someone turns up late or if people aren't following procedures.'' He added: "Sometimes there are cultural differences and sometimes people are going to be misunderstood.

"But, in any case, we did all talk about it. It was resolved and everybody's back at work.'' Mr. Thomas said: "I would say that the workers had some valid points, but it could have been handled better.

"We have more than 100 staff -- people of all ages, all colours, all races, Bermudian and non-Bermudian. We have diversity and we have all got to work together to serve our customers the very best we can.'' BUSINESS BUC