Belco union representatives will have their first mediation meeting with company bosses and Labour Relations Officers today after threatening to strike over a pay dispute.

The Electricity Supply Union announced on Tuesday that staff would walk out in three weeks if their grievances over wages and job classifications are not addressed. Although union representatives have remained tight-lipped over the precise nature of the dispute, a brief statement was issued by secretary Danica Lightbourn yesterday.

She said that during talks with Belco management which began in January 2005, it was agreed between management and the union that ?wage scales and reclassifications? for Belco?s bargaining unit would be addressed. ?Wage scales and (job) reclassification has not taken place in over 20 years. We started this process in 2005 and to date we have not come up with a mutual agreement,? she said.

?Henceforth, a 21-day strike notice has been issued. The matter has been referred to the Labour Relations Officer and the process set out by the Labour Act will be followed.?

Around 200 of the 350-plus staff at Belco are members of the Electricity Supply Union.