The Bermuda Industrial Union went back to work yesterday, with hopes fading that the Reverend Nicholas Tweed will avoid being asked to leave the island.

After an intense four-hour meeting throughout the morning, BIU president Chris Furbert announced that members had voted to end their stoppage midway through its third day.

He confirmed the London-born St Paul AME Church pastor must leave the island by January 19, unless the Bermuda Government reverses its denial of his renewal application.

Mr Furbert insisted the BIU’s threat to derail the America’s Cup remained in place if the permit is not renewed, but yesterday the Progressive Labour Party repeated its vow to get behind the showpiece sailing event and encouraged all Bermudians to do the same.

Michael Dunkley, the Premier, told The Royal Gazette last night the work permit decision is final.

Throughout the past week, Mr Furbert has angrily attacked home affairs minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin for her decision to refuse Mr Tweed’s application, claiming that she is politically motivated against the leading member of the People’s Campaign.

However, union sources have repeatedly said that Mr Tweed does not have full sympathy from the rank-and-file members, a lack of support that they say was reflected in diminishing numbers at the rallies this week, and in the vote at the Union Square headquarters yesterday. Sources say some union members further contend Mr Furbert went too far by bringing the America’s Cup into the equation, saying many hope it will bring job opportunities for struggling workers.

Over the past two days, the People’s Campaign levelled many other complaints against the One Bermuda Alliance government, including the airport redevelopment proposal, pepper-spraying of protesters last month and the Jetgate controversy, but it was not enough to convince BIU members to stay off work to fight for Mr Tweed.

Speaking at the end of yesterday’s meeting, Mr Furbert told a press conference: “The decision was made that they have now paused the decision that they made the other day about downing tools until those other matters are resolved.

“They have decided to lift that, but those issues, as far as Reverend Tweed’s work permit, the airport deal and the threat on the America’s Cup, are still on the table, and the pepper-spraying of Bermudians on December 2.

“I certainly hope His Excellency the Governor [John Rankin] and the Premier will not take that very lightly.”

Pressed on how the union will fight for the issues still on the table, Mr Furbert said: “There are some things that the BIU needs to discuss as members.”

Asked whether he believes Mr Tweed’s work permit will be renewed, he said: “It’s always going to be difficult when Caesar is judging Caesar. I don’t see how you can get a fair deal.

“I don’t know of any renewal of a work permit that ends up at the office of Cabinet. I don’t know; maybe they can tell us it’s something that occurs every so often.

“Reverend Tweed’s work permit became a highly toxic issue for the OBA government because of his involvement with the People’s Campaign, because of the sermons he’s been giving at the St Paul pulpit.”

After the press conference, Jamahl Simmons, the Shadow Minister of Tourism, said “all stakeholders in Bermuda must work together” to make the America’s Cup a success for all Bermudians.

He said: “While we share the concerns of many Bermudians that the benefits of the event may not be as inclusive, far-reaching and diverse as they could and should be, the PLP will continue to assist in ensuring the America’s Cup is a success, for the benefit of all Bermudians, as Bermuda cannot afford anything less.”

The People’s Campaign continued to angrily protest the work permit refusal, saying in a statement: “How can this government call on everyone to support the America’s Cup but in the same breath try to demonise and destroy one man for speaking up for the rights of Bermudians. It is hypocrisy at the highest level.”

Buses were back in service yesterday afternoon, but not before causing problems for CedarBridge Academy, where more than 240 students were unable to attend yesterday. That prompted board chairman the Reverend Leonard Santucci to give warning that the labour action had jeopardised students’ education and development.

Dock-workers returned after two days off the job, with their industrial action said not to have left a backlog, as there were no ships in port. It is unlikely, also, to have any effect on the delivery schedule of cargo moving forward.

Last night, an online petition showing disapproval for Mr Furbert’s actions over Mr Tweed’s work permit, started on Wednesday, had almost 2,800 signatures.

• This article was amended to reflect the fact that the threat against the America’s Cup is by the membership of the BIU, not solely by Mr Furbert, the president.

This morning, the BIU contacted this newspaper to say Mr Furbert wants to make it quite clear that it was the BIU membership who made the original decision for the work stoppage in protest of the following issues: (1) Mr Tweed’s work permit, (2) the redevelopment of the LF Wade International Airport; and (3) the pepper-spraying of Bermudians by members of the Bermuda Police Service, and not him personally.

• Additional reporting by Simon Jones and Owain Johnston-Barnes