Unionised hospital staff staged an unofficial sit-in yesterday morning to protest the dismissal of a fired co-worker — but the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) continues to uphold the man’s dismissal.

The dispute, which began a month ago, centres on a male employee who allegedly assaulted a supervisor but was cleared of any charge in Magistrates’ Court.

He was fired after a BHB investigation into the incident.

Last night a BHB spokeswoman confirmed the work stoppage, but didn’t provide the numbers of workers involved. The Royal Gazette has previously reported that not all workers support the action — and that court proceedings against the man weren’t initiated by the BHB.

Calling the act a breach of the Collective Bargaining Agreement requiring 21 days’ notice, the spokeswoman added: “No advance warning for this action was provided. The grievance process has now been completed. Under BHB policy, such actions are cause for termination and we therefore stand by our decision to terminate the employee.

“We are obviously very disappointed that staff put patient care at risk by walking off their job, but we are grateful to all those who have remained in place, in accordance with the CBA, so that services can be maintained.”