The threat of a strike ?shutdown? still looms over Bermuda International Airport, as security staff and bosses wait for a decision on a long-running pay row.

Third party arbitrators were called in after talks about wages and working hours for security workers at the terminal stalled.understands a hearing took place last week to hear both sides? views ? and a ruling on the dispute is now expected within weeks. In September it emerged that furious security employees could walk out in the dispute, which has been rumbling on for about 18 months. One worker revealed how some 50 staff from the Bermuda Security Group may strike if the wrangle was not resolved to their satisfaction. Such a move would ?close the airport down?, the unnamed employee claimed. But the company at the centre of the pay row reassured passengers they had plans in hand to make sure airport security operations did not grind to a halt.

Union officials also confirmed in September there could be no immediate strike as the dispute had gone into arbitration.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Security Group yesterday said an arbitration hearing took place last week. He added: ?The Bermuda Security Group is awaiting the decision by the arbitration panel.?

The tribunal panel heard the views and positions of both sides in the dispute, he added, before asking questions and retiring to reach a verdict. Although there is no firm deadline for a decision to be reached, it is believed a quick resolution, within weeks rather than months, is expected.

Talks between the Bermuda Industrial Union, representing security staff who deal with baggage and screen luggage at the St. George?s terminal, and the security company started in January 2004. The worker who contacted had said staff were trying to avoid strike action, but could not rule it out at this stage as they were sick of working long hours for ?slave wages?.

Herman Tucker, president of Bermuda Security Group, said it had conducted negotiations in good faith and had looked for a timely resolution.