Problems at the Island's main prison and CableVision dominated the headlines in 2003 but it was the union recognition dispute at BAS-Serco which sparked the year's first general strike.

And a major blue collar strike in the aftermath of Hurricane Fabian prompted the Premier Alex Scott to tell fellow labourites the Island must not replace one 'oligarchy' with another ? a veiled warning that the Progressive Labour Party would not be bullied by the Bermuda Industrial Union.

Mr. Scott told Party Delegates in October the PLP was keen to keep its labour roots but he warned conference delegates governance of Bermuda needed to be a broad church in order to ensure Bermuda was free of rule by the few. To applause he said: "We must avoid the danger of replacing a white business oligarchy with a black labour oligarchy.

"To ensure this does not happen we must abandon old tactics and adopt new strategies in order not to lose our way on the road to a new Bermuda."

In February hundreds of workers stayed at home in sympathy with striking airport firefighters who wanted a collective bargaining agreement.

The action was branded illegal by Labour Minister Terry Lister and the Bermuda Employers Council.

In May Acting Puisne Judge Phillip Storr ruled the Permanent Arbitration Tribunal had exceeded its powers two years ago when it effectively allowed staff at BAS-Serco to have two separate bargaining units ? one for BIU members and the other for non-members.

Mr. Storr also attacked Government for failing to give their views on the matter. The union appealed the decision but lost in a judgment delivered this month. Also in May a mystery sick out was staged among Customs officers at the airport. Mr. Lister said race and promotion issues were behind the dispute as Government set up talks.

In April prison officers went on strike for four days in a bid to oust unpopular Commissioner John Prescod but they agreed to return after a deal which put him under strict Government supervision.

Prison Officers accused the controversial former head of Jamaica's prisons of being autocratic and failing to implement most of the recommendations of a 2001 board of inquiry.

For three days officers had defied an injunction forbidding them to strike.

The strikers were not docked pay for the illegal action and teachers complained of unfair treatment after they lost earnings for their Island-wide strike last October as well as for localised strikes.

However in November, Prison officers considered further strike action over lack of reform, overcrowding and staff shortages. And they boycotted the Caribbean and UK Overseas Territories Mutual Support Conference in protest. Crisis talks are held in November as the civilian prison staff also threaten action.

A proposed transfer of inmates from Westgate to the Co-Ed facility to relieve overcrowding was halted after the union protests. In June CableVision workers threatened industrial action after accusing the company of dragging its feet over implementing an agreed 4.5 percent pay rise.

A sick out followed and Government intervened but failed to quell the dispute.

However a pay settlement at Stevedoring Services, traditionally a flash point of Bermuda's industrial relations, is hailed by both unions and management who note the deal was achieved without the need for arbitration or third party intervention.

In September unrest at CableVision erupts again with the sacking of technician David Greene. BIU workers across Bermuda downed tools during a three-day strike, as the Island was still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Fabian.

A tribunal was set up to look into the dispute. It also emerges the union gave cheques to CableVision workers who took action. Unpopular CableVision boss Jeremy Elmas vows to stay to finish technical upgrades.

Going into July's general election Mr. Lister cites abolition of the overtime opt-out clause in the Employment Act 2000 as top of his agenda but he is replaced by Randy Horton as the Progressive Labour Party retain power.

The clause allows employers and employees to negotiate away the right to premium pay for overtime but the issue remains unresolved.

The election boosted the Government's union links with BIU chief negotiator George Scott joining leader Derrick Burgess in parliament while BIU Vice President Chris Furbert narrowly losses out.

In October, staff at the Coco Reef Bermuda, formerly the Stonington Beach Hotel, stage a sit-down strike to protest "unfair" management styles of hotel owner John Jefferis and his director, Andrea Jennings but the dispute is quickly resolved.