A dispute between Bermuda CableVision workers and their employers will carry on today after yesterday's negotiations came to a halt, apparently over the issue of shift work.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister, who stepped in to try and ease the deadlock on Monday, said he was “optimistic” that a resolution would be reached today.

But the Bermuda Industrial Union said last night that no progress had been made, and it accused CableVision of trying to rewrite the rules by refusing to pay staff back-pay that was awarded by arbitration until they sign a comprehensive agreement.

Customers wanting service work done have been left high and dry because of the dispute, which has CableVision operating out of its office on a skeleton crew.

The sick-out by technical and office employees began last Thursday because bosses repeatedly failed to give them pay rises which were awarded after they took their battle for more cash to arbitration last year.

A settlement was reached three months ago, in which workers were offered a 4.5 percent rise for 2002, followed by a 4.5 percent increase this year and the promise of a 4.5 percent rise for next year.

But CableVision claimed it did not want to adhere to the new salary structure until every single issue in arbitration was resolved and the collective bargaining agreement had been signed.

CableVision general manager Jeremy Elmas said they were ready to sign the agreement and that they had no more outstanding issues, but said they had been unable to secure a date from the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) for the signature.

He added: “We are surprised and truly regret that this issue remains unresolved. We believe the issue may be that they are now disagreeing with the arbitrators' award of shift work for CableVision; however we have been unable to verify this. We are eager to implement this part of the arbitration award as it will help us to better serve our customers.

“I have made it clear we are ready to issue the cheques. That has never been at issue. We are merely waiting, as I have been instructed by our board, to sign the agreement. We had hoped this would be done by now.”

He apologised to customers for the inconvenience and said CableVision would “bring in temporary help so that we can properly service our customers in the interval” should the dispute go on much longer.

BUI president Derrick Burgess said last night: “There has been no change, no progress at all.

“What CableVision are trying to do is come to Bermuda and change the way we do business and that is not going on.

“No employer in this country has ever refused to pay back-pay until an agreement is signed. They are trying to set a precedent and we are having no part of that.

“The money has been owed since January, 2002. We don't want anything in advance, we only want what we are owed and CableVision are trying to make it a condition before we get the money that we sign an agreement.

“The money is owed. Pay it and we'll sign an agreement. There's no conditions attached. That's never done in Bermuda.

“That group seem to want to make their own rules up as they go along. We don't have good labour relations with that group.

“They have inexperienced management that is trying to bring whatever they've done in some Third World country to Bermuda and that's not on.”While emphasising Government's commitment to tripartism, Mr. Lister said last night: “Whilst there has been some progress, the BIU and CableVision remain at an impasse. I regret that the differences between the two parties remain. However, I am optimistic that a resolution will be reached soon, hopefully tomorrow.”