More than 70 Corporation of Hamilton workers downed tools yesterday to march on City Hall in protest at working conditions.

They say their grievances date back two-three years, and include inconsistency in managerial decisions such as disciplinary action, a lack of promotion of health and safety, and few opportunities for job training.

The workers - who do not yet have Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) representation - presented a unanimous front yesterday as they marched on City Hall. Between 70 and 80 staff took part in the walkout from the Dundonald Street depot to City Hall, where two Workers' Joint Consultation Committee representatives presented a letter outlining their grievances.

The JCC representatives met with Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros, two aldermen and a councillor, with an official response from the Corporation expected tomorrow (Wednesday).

Representative Carlton Simmons, an electrician, said: "This is a last resort and so let's just hope we don't get to a stage of further action. This morning was a demonstration of the workers' frustration and to show our unanimous support. The Corporation has been presented with a series of letters and warnings but they haven't been taken seriously."

Mr. Simmons claimed some workers were not paid on Friday. "The Corporation doesn't want to pay cheques anymore," he said. "These guys came up and didn't have a direct deposit account, so were not paid for last week's work. They had their cheques withheld.

"It's 2008 and the Corporation should be able to handle issues of this sort more responsibly."

He added the meeting with the Mayor, aldermen and councillor had been amicable. "They read the letter and said they were regretful it had come to this point. They also said they would give the matter all their attention.

"We will wait and see what happens and then go from there. If the response is not satisfactory we will consult the members and discuss any further action we feel is necessary."

JCC representative Jamel Warren, an engineering foreman, added: "We tried to iron out a few things. We're not considering strike action but this was an emergency meeting to get the attention of people in authority and to put forward issues to be resolved, as they have turned a deaf ear towards us in the past."

A 34-year-old sanitation worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "We're not satisfied with the way our issues seem to be overlooked. There has been a deterioration in communication."

Another employee, a 37-year-old gardener, said: "We have a lot of unresolved issues - they just aren't treating us right. The morale around here is at an all-time low. I've been here 11 years and this is the worst it's ever been."

One worker, a mason in his 40s, added: "City Hall pushes people to the limit. There are a lot of matters that need to be sorted out in the yard."

Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros said the introduction of salary payments direct into bank accounts on Friday seemed to have brought matters to a head. However, he denied some workers had not been paid.

"For almost the past year the Corporation has been preparing to pay all staff by direct credit into bank accounts," said the Mayor.

"Staff have been advised to open an account but there were a number who hadn't got that organised by Friday, so it brought issues to a head.

"We paid these workers by cheque and we will speak to them and try to assist them in opening deposit accounts."

Mr. Madeiros said: "The workers have some issues with respect to operations in the yard.

"The Corporation is meeting tomorrow and some of these issues can probably be fixed in the short-term while some will take a little longer.

"We will review the letter, but these are general industrial issues.

"We have a good working relationship with our staff and no one wishes to have any industrial unrest.

"We will do our best to sort out any concerns the employees have."