A dispute between Bermuda CableVision workers and their employers was resolved last week after employees signed an agreement requiring them to do shift work.

The news comes after Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess accused CableVision managers of "changing the tone" of industrial relations in Bermuda by refusing to pay the workers owed back wages until the agreement was signed.

"This is another foreign company coming in trying to change the way we do business in Bermuda," he said last month. The troubles saw workers engaging in a weeklong sick-out earlier in July because they said they had not been paid back wages dating to the beginning of last year which were awarded to them in arbitration in April.

Government brought the matter back before arbitration on June 17 after both sides failed to come to a resolution.

While CableVision managers refused to pay up until the collective bargaining agreement was signed, the BIU said it was a simple matter of employees being paid what they were owed. The Royal Gazette was unable to reach Mr. Burgess for comment. But CableVision General Manager Jeremy Elmas said last week: "We had a cordial meeting today with the BIU and we're pleased to report that we signed the collective bargaining agreement. The employees have been given their cheques and we now all have a comprehensive agreement upon which to move forward."

Mr. Elmas said the fact that the shift work problems had been resolved meant CableVision would be able to extend its service hours from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. from Monday until Friday during the summer months.

"I would like to thank our customers again for their patience and understanding during this time. I would also like to thank our employees for all they do. While we may have our differences, that is why there are processes in place to resolve them."