An industrial tribunal by Arnold’s Supermarkets managers has been postponed after a last-ditch attempt at reconciliation by the owner. The hearing, scheduled for this week, was brought by 11 managers after previous attempts to resolve grievances broke down.

The employees represent 13 Arnold’s managers in six stores in Hamilton, Pembroke, Somerset, Warwick and Sandys.

They claim unfair working practices and exploitation, saying they work 60-plus hours a week for no extra pay.

Permanent Secretary for Labour and Immigration, Robert Horton, confirmed the Ministry was “attempting conciliation” and that he hoped a meeting would be held later this week that might lead to a “mutually satisfactory resolution”.

The managers say their contracts are open-ended and at times have to work 13 days in a row. They are claiming thousands of dollars in back pay and want time-and-a-half introduced for anything worked over 40 hours. Mr. Arnold was last night unavailable for comment.