Today's planned talks between union bosses and BTC management to end a four-day-long strike could be scrapped before they even start -- following a disagreement between the two camps over what is on the agenda.

Last night the dispute seemed to be over when, in what appeared to be a massive climb down by the Union, staff agreed to return to work as long as a meeting with management was arranged.

When Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, acting as mediator between the two parties, later announced that management had accepted the offer it was thought the dispute was finally over.

But The Royal Gazette has now learned that both groups disagree on what will be discussed at the meeting -- scheduled to take place this morning.

Acting Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert last night insisted that the latest developments did not represent a retreat in the Union's position. He said that, although the Union's demand that workers should be guaranteed pay for time off during the walkout had now been withdrawn, it would at least now be discussed at the meeting.

But BTC spokeswoman Karla Lacey-Minors, on hearing the news, insisted that the issue of pay would not be on the table.

Last night, before the misunderstanding was revealed, Mr. Furbert said: "This is not a climb down because we now have some say in the talks.

"The question of pay will be brought to the table, along with the question of the suspension and whole question of discipline. If management doesn't think it is then they ought to find out pretty soon.'' When he was later told by The Royal Gazette that management were not prepared to discuss the issue he said: "I will have to talk to the team tomorrow morning.

"I never promised the workers that they will get pay but I did promise that I will fight for it and if it's not on the table at the meeting then I will bring it to the table.'' Ms Lacey-Minors also refused to speculate on how the talks will be affected.

But she insisted that management's position had not changed throughout the dispute.

"Money is not on the table,'' she said.

"We have said this throughout the dispute. The sole purpose of the meeting will be to resolve the outstanding issues, which are the suspension of Ms Vonda Burgess and disciplinary procedure of the company.

"We understand that there are no issues other than the foregoing.

"We have always been prepared to meet with the Union on the above terms and we are looking forward to getting our employees back to work and to service our customers.'' It is believed that the BIU was finally forced to give ground in the dispute following the threat of legal action. Under the Union's own constitution strikes can only go ahead after a ballot has been held.