its unionised workers after yesterday's meeting.

While neither the telephone company or union leaders would reveal details, all were confident a major step of progress would be made today.

It is understood a trouble-shooter sent in by the Government, Labour Relations officer Neville Darrell, acted as a mediator between BTC, the Bermuda Industrial Union and the Bermuda Public Services Association.

Workers were told last Thursday that as a cost-cutting exercise they were to work only nine of the usual ten days in a working fortnight.

That move was expected to offset the $33,000 BTC claims it is losing every day as a result of a government directive for them to lower the fees charged to overseas carriers.

But many workers have been going to work convinced the stay-at-home order was illegal since the Telecommunications Commission last week ruled BTC had to maintain staffing levels until they proved cuts would not affect service.

BUSINESS BUC