The Bermuda Industrial Union has been heavily criticised by an independent board of inquiry over its conduct during a wildcat strike by BTC workers, The Royal Gazette has learned.

About 200 staff struck for more than four days in support of a suspended colleague in March.

But, in a secret report to Labour Minister Maxwell Burgess, the board of inquiry claims that the strike was illegal and the BIU should have followed correct procedure before calling for industrial action. It is understood the union has also agreed that the strike was illegal.

And it is understood the board also backed the company's management, which later offered to retract the suspension and instead give the worker a written warning. That offer was dismissed by the union as unacceptable.

The unofficial action began when workers marched to BTC headquarters in protest at the fact that one of their colleagues had been suspended for two days after going absent.

Although management agreed to discuss the issue with union leaders, the strike was extended because workers demanded that they should be entitled to be paid for the time off work during the strike.

They later retracted that demand after then Labour Minister promised to set up a board of inquiry to look into both the strike and management/worker relations in general.

But management claimed the strike was illegal because the BIU had not held a ballot before taking strike action.

The report will come as a bitter blow to BIU first vice president Chris Furbert, who was in charge of the union in the absence of president Derrick Burgess, who was off the Island at the time.

Last night Mr. Burgess confirmed that he had seen the report but was reluctant to discuss the board's findings.

He initially said that the report was "satisfactory''.

But when quizzed about the illegality of the strike he said: "I really don't want to say anything at the moment.

"I have seen the document but I don't have it in front of me right now. I wouldn't want to contradict anything in the report.

"I'm not trying to be difficult here but I can't remember if the report said that the strike was illegal and I don't think the union said that either. I was off the Island at the time.'' Despite the fact that the report was in their favour, BTC management have also refused to discuss the issue.

A spokeswoman for the company would only say: "We are pleased that this matter has finally been settled.'' The board's findings into general management practices is expected to be completed next week.