The City ground to a halt yesterday as Corporation of Hamilton workers walked out in protest at the firing of two employees.

Services such as garbage collection were suspended as staff refused to return to work until the pair were reinstated. Some claimed the firings were done "in retaliation" for a walkout last week in which more than 70 staff marched on City Hall in protest at working conditions.

Yesterday's second walkout plunged the Corporation into a series of crisis meetings with Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) President Chris Furbert, but by last night the workers' show of unity had resulted in their colleagues being reinstated.

Services in Hamilton however, will remain suspended until the Corporation addresses the workers' desire for official union representation. Employees do not yet have BIU membership despite a vote for recognition two years ago. Jamel Warren, Workers' Joint Consultation Committee co-head, said Mr. Furbert is to meet Corporation representatives today to try to resolve the situation.

Mr. Warren, an engineering foreman, said: "We will go to work in the morning but we will wait until we get a result on the union issue before we carry on our normal duties.

"We felt the stand we took today, we got the results we wanted, and that's all we asked for. We felt there was no valid reason for the firings. We had the meeting because the workers were dissatisfied with the way things had been handled. We felt these firings were an act of retaliation based on our peaceful demonstration last Monday."

Mr. Warren added: "Morale is pretty high right now, also because we're finally making some ground on the union issue."

During the first walkout, workers presented the Corporation with a letter outlining their grievances. They included inconsistency in managerial decisions such as disciplinary action, a lack of promotion of health and safety, and few opportunities for job training and promotion. Staff were also disgruntled at the introduction of payment of wages by direct bank deposit rather than cheques.

Following a second meeting on Wednesday, the Corporation announced it was to bring in an independent labour relations consultant. Mr. Madeiros said the advisor, from the private sector, would talk with staff and make recommendations to resolve the issues. He said: "We have a good working relationship with our staff, it's just they have some issues but we hope to sort these out."

Yesterday however, it emerged that two workers were fired on Thursday — sackings which staff claim were retaliatory. The workers' anger erupted onto the streets yesterday after a meeting with the Corporation collapsed. Employees stormed out of Number One Shed on to Front Street and then marched past City Hall on their way to the BIU offices.

A Corporation spokeswoman said last night: "Industrial staff held a meeting today seeking resolution over certain concerns. The Corporation of Hamilton is continuing to work with staff to try and resolve the outstanding issues."

Mayor Mr. Madeiros added: "The Corporation is committed to reaching a resolution with those members of our industrial staff who have expressed grievances to us, and the negotiations are ongoing.

"In the interim, we wish to advise the public that during this process they may experience a disruption to regular services such as trash collection within the City of Hamilton. We kindly ask the public to keep trash off the streets this evening.

"Our ultimate goal is to reach a viable solution as soon as possible and we will keep people informed of the situation. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to members of the public during this time."