Government is trying to bring a dispute between Bermuda CableVision and its workers back before arbitrators in an attempt to bring about a resolution to a bitter pay dispute, it emerged last night.

While CableVision has agreed, it remained unclear whether the Bermuda Industrial Union has, as president Derrick Burgess declined to comment on that particular matter.

Meanwhile, Bermuda Employers Council president Andrea Mowbray said she thinks CableVision is "within its rights" to ask for a collective bargaining agreement to be signed before paying out wages at issue in a bitter labour dispute.

The sick-out by technical and service personnel began last Thursday because CableVision refused to pay workers back wages which had been awarded to them in arbitration in April.

The workers were awarded a 4.5 percent pay rise back dated to the beginning of last year, for this year and the promise of similar rise for next year.

However, CableVision refuses to pay up until a collective bargaining agreement has been signed off, in particular so that they can be assured shift work will be implemented, and the company's customers have been left without technical support.

CableVision general manager Jeremy Elmas said he had responded "affirmatively" to a request by Labour and Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister to bring the matter back before the arbitrators for clarification as to when the awarded payments are to be made.

He said his company also requested "that the arbitrators rule as to when the other matters awarded in the panels' decision, including shift work, are to be implemented".

"Our understanding is that they would go into effect when the agreement is signed, particularly since the arbitration decision makes reference to specific articles in the collective bargaining agreement.

"The employees' cheques are ready and we would like to move forward. We remain ready to sign the agreement at any time. We are continuing to operate with a reduced staff and we hope our customers will accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this has caused."

Mr. Burgess said CableVision's demand was "unprecedented" and added: "They have to abide by the award. They want conditions attached but there are no conditions. The award is an award. We don't have to sign an arbitrated award. It's already signed for you."

He added: "It's not going too great. Every day it's annoying because people are owed money. The award was presented to the workers on April 14 so why are they holding these people's money up? Never in history has this happened before. Employers go out and they pay the money that they owe. When you have the attitude that they have, then I couldn't predict what is going to happen and I'm not even going to try to."

Ms Mowbray said last night: "I think CableVision are basically within their rights to ask for the agreement to be signed before paying the money. If they truly have an agreement then it should be signed."