Hundreds of BTC workers last night vowed unanimously to snub their noses at compulsory work-bans and pay-slashes due to kick off on Monday.

After emotional emergency union meetings yesterday one angry union leader said the workers were not willing to help BTC "lower the standard of Bermuda's telecommunications''.

And Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon last night stepped into the fray supporting the workers' decision to turn up on Monday, despite lay-offs and calling for the Government to sort out the mess before it escalated.

Quoting the Telecommunications Act, she said until BTC appealed the ruling or approached the Commission about their problems, breaching the decision -- as they appeared to be doing with the lay-offs -- was an offence.

And the company could face fines for each day it committed that offence.

"The Act sets it out that if BTC is in breach of the Commission's decision -- as it appears -- then technically the Minister can step in and force them to comply with her directive.'' But BTC staunchly denied its compulsory work-hour slashes breached the decision handed down by the Commission.

Both unions -- the Bermuda Industrial Union and the Bermuda Public Services Association -- said staff scheduled for stay-home days starting from Monday next week planned to turn up for work and expected to be paid.

The dispute was sparked last month when the Government ordered BTC to cut the fees it charged international carriers -- a move the company said would cost it $1 million per month.

To offset that loss BTC proposed drastic hikes on monthly local line rental fees. But on Wednesday the Commission rejected that controversial plan and ruled only limited increases were permitted.

One condition of the small hikes allowed on the monthly fee -- $2 for homes and $10 for businesses -- was that BTC had to maintain current staffing unless it first proved that any cut would not impair service.

The industrial wrangle worsened Thursday when BTC fired off hundreds of letters to its 480 staff detailing the lay-offs for all staff.

It said by working only nine days a fortnight instead of ten, staff would "reduce payroll costs by 10 percent during the current crisis''.

BIU president Derrick Burgess said since staff received that letter many workers were confused how BTC could ignore the Commission decision but no industrial action was planned yet.

"The workers are law abiding citizens and we want the company to also abide by the law and abide by the Commission's ruling.

"I would appeal to the BTC management to follow the ruling. Why should they disrespect the law?'' He said he had filed an official complaint with the Government about BTC's breach of the Commission orders.

BPSA general secretary Ed Ball said earlier talks between unions and BTC over the nine-day fortnight were "provisional only'' and it was always clear the Commission ruling would supersede them.

He said it seemed BTC was trying to protect its shareholders at any stake which left employees and subscribers to shoulder the financial burden.

"It seems the shareholders' equity is being protected instead of the company's obligation to be open and honest with the employees, to let them know the true financial picture.'' BIU's Derrick Burgess: `Respect the ruling . . . '