Striking workers at Universal Electric will vote today on a deal hammered out last night which will hopefully bring the three day dispute to an end, the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) said last night.

BIU president Derrick Burgess said he reached a "tentative" agreement last night with Universal Electric general manager Ray Beaulne, which he will put to the 52 unionised workers today.

Staff in Serpentine Road, Pembroke, walked off the job on Monday after management would not agree to having a clause - giving them one year's pay if they are made redundant - put into the new collective bargaining agreement.

The company says it is fully compliant with the new Employment Act and said yesterday it would have to farm out jobs to other companies if could not get an agreement by last night.

Mr. Burgess told The Royal Gazette last night: "We have a tentative agreement that I have to put to the workers tomorrow. I am hopeful (it will end the dispute) but they have the final say."

In a statement issued before talks broke up, Mr. Beaulne said: "We very much hope we will be able to come to an agreement this evening. If we are unable to do so, we will find ourselves in the unfortunate position of divesting current jobs that are in need of immediate service."