The Bermuda Industrial Union has hit back at claims its members are disrupting essential services by taking industrial action against an energy supply company.

Gas provider Rubis Energy Bermuda confirmed yesterday that services had been disrupted for the past month through its Bermuda Gas division, after disgruntled staff opted to work-to-rule.

The action was prompted by disagreements over salary negotiations and other worker-related issues.

According to a Bermuda Gas representative, the action threatened to ruin Christmas for its customers, who relied on the fuel to prepare festive meals over the holiday season.

A company spokesman said: “We understand that many families rely on our products to prepare meals and create cherished holiday memories, and we are equally aware of the impact this is having on our commercial clients — including hotels, restaurants and laundromats — who have been experiencing disruptions in their ability to fully serve their customers.

The company also accused unionised workers of “sporadic occurrences of full work stoppage”, which it claimed were illegal.

Today, the BIU defended the action, claiming that staff were “resolute in their belief that they are entitled to fair treatment and recognition for their hard work”.

A BIU spokeswoman said: “The BIU has engaged in numerous meetings with management regarding the collective bargaining agreement negotiations, demonstrating a willingness to resolve the matter through dialogue.

“Unfortunately, the response from management has been less than satisfactory, leading to continued frustration among our members.”

The spokeswoman listed a number of staff concerns that had arisen as a result of the work-to-rule action.

She claimed that management had been forced to carry out duties normally handled by staff, which showed a lack of respect to the collective bargaining agreement, and also violated safety procedures.

The spokeswoman also charged company bosses with failing to engage with the union in good faith.

She said: “The ongoing frustration among our members is compounded by management’s recent downsizing efforts and cost-cutting measures, which have been seen as detrimental to both staff morale and operational efficiency.

“The BIU remains open to further dialogue and is committed to finding a fair resolution for all parties involved.

“However, it is crucial that management acknowledges the concerns of our members and return to the bargaining table to settle these issues once and for all.”