Under-fire Bermuda CableVision General Manager Jeremy Elmas says he is doing everything he can to solve festering problems which spiralled into last week's general strike.

And he revealed he could be leaving as soon as the middle of next year once key projects are set in train.

Bermuda Industrial Union workers had called for Government to kick him off the island last week after two workers, including senior technician David Green, were sacked.

Government rejected this and Mr. Elmas vowed to stay although his work permit is up in March next year. CableVision has been a flashpoint for industrial relations in Bermuda for years. "The problems that exist, existed before I got here," said Mr. Elmas who joined the company in January 2001. "I wish I could put my finger on them to say specifically what they are because we could solve them then."

He said when the company took an action the union brought other issues out of the woodwork. New mechanisms are being looked at to stop issues building to boiling point said Mr. Elmas. "There a some things there that are festering.

"I have an open-door policy. If someone wants to see me all they have to say is `hey, I would like to meet you later today'."

He said a monthly `breakfast with the GM' had already been set up to chew over issues, with Mr. Elmas taking half the time and employees then encouraged to air any grievances.

Issues not being dealt with in discussion can go through the formal grievance procedure of the collective bargaining agreement said Mr. Elmas.

"I don't know if I would say the problem is shyness but obviously there are some issues which are not brought to the forefront which the union brings up later on."

Mr. Elmas said the key was to get those who stayed quiet to talk so all the issues were aired but he stressed the union shop steward would still have a role to play. He said industrial action had hit every sector of Government while the private sector also had its fair share of strikes.

During the strike Government suggested a board of inquiry combined with voluntary arbitration to which the company agreed but the package was vetoed by the BIU said Mr. Elmas.

But he said the atmosphere at CableVision was fine now.

"When they have come back to work now it's normal. I got down and had a chat with them, when they came back I shook all their hands, said thanks for coming back to work.

"I don't sense any animosity. They are all out working, no one is working slow. So I really don't see any difference."

He said during the strike he kept out of the strikers way but has not suffered intimidation or threats, although the company complained van tyres had been slashed during the early days of the strike. Mr Elmas says he wants to stay until he has trained a successor, the digital launch is well underway and the company is offering data and internet services.

It's a process which could see him leaving "maybe the middle of next year," said Mr. Elmas, although he concedes getting a licence for internet service could take longer.

"They are fairly large goals I need to get further along their path before I go anywhere."

Digital is already being tested in the east end but Mr. Elmas said he wanted several thousand homes signed up before he went.

The service offers 150 digital channels including 45 audio-only channels for $129 compared to 60 analogue channels for $93 channels. Roll out has been slowed by storm clear-up and the company want to gauge demand before moving to other parishes.

Asked about complaints foreign employees were treated better than locals the CableVision boss said the issue was being addressed but said expat/local tension was rife everywhere in Bermuda.

"There's a bit of a love/hate relationship," but he said he is looking for ways to reduce the friction. He admitted that unfortunately for years CableVision had not put a lot of money into training locally so outsiders had to be brought into build the fibre optic system.

Mr. Elmas denied locals had been asked to train foreigners as had been alleged but he said some imported workers were unfamiliar with the exact workings of Bermuda CableVision system despite a wealth of knowledge and had been sent out before they had taken time to settle in.

"But no matter what system you are on you still have the ability to troubleshoot."

The BIU have urged its 4,000 members, as well as the public, to return set top boxes to CableVision in protest about the company's behaviour.

Mr. Elmas said around 40 of the company's 40,000 boxes had been returned, some of which had been as people left the island.

"I respect Derrick's (Burgess) position because he is always trying to look out for his workers," said Mr. Elmas.

But he said if everybody did return their boxes CableVision union members would be out of work.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess did not return calls throughout last week.

CABLEVISION'S PROBLEMS

May 2000: Cablevision workers strike over pay and conditions. Issues include uniform, vehicles and safety.

October 2000: Two top managers including Assistant General Manager Debbie DeSilva resign and 12 channels go off the air. An insider said the crisis was just the start of something. "The entire company is just one big dispute, it's drama after drama.

December 2000: Bermudian Carl Musson resigns as executive manager, seven months after he left his job as CEO of the Bermuda Land Development Company to join CableVision, after a work colleague from the US repeatedly failed to follow his orders, according to insiders.

January 2002: CableVision workers go on strike after accusing managers and foreign colleagues of racism, incompetence and unfairness. Workers say the walkout was sparked when a local technician, David Green, was told by management to sign an agreement making him financially responsible for vehicle maintenance and accidents.

February 2002: Problems at CableVision are cited as one of the reasons the BIU conducts a march and one-day national strike over alleged management disrespect across the island.

September 2003: David Green is sacked after management accuse him of conspiring to string out overtime, the union claim it was a misunderstood joke made by someone else. CableVision workers go on strike, Government mediation fails and the BIU workers bring transport to a standstill across the island during a three-day national strike.