Company is to start on May 26.

Labour officials have scheduled the top-level hearing to last between five and seven days.

And the three-man Board will investigate claims revealed in The Royal Gazette last month that the firm ignored advice from original consultants and axed 14 white-collar jobs.

The inquiry was originally convened by former Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, to investigate management practices and poor staff morale.

But the Board now has a bigger brief -- to probe the firm's labour relations and the four-day unofficial strike by 200 workers in March.

Dr. Dan Kruger, a world-renowned industrial expert based at Michigan State University, will chair the Board.

The other members will be Senate President Alf Oughton, former CEO of Belco, and Ken Richardson, ex-Cabinet Secretary and former Permanent Secretary in the Labour Ministry.

John Drinkwater, Permanent Secretary of Labour, said the inquiry board would sit at the Salvation Army Hall on North Street.

It is also understood witnesses will be called from as far away as the US to give evidence at the hearing.

Mr. Drinkwater said last night: "The terms of reference were only finalised today but the Board is hoping to complete its inquiry within about a week.'' BUSINESS BUC