Parks staff returned to work yesterday after a row with Government over pay and other issues led to a three-day strike.

The decision was made after compromise was reached in a closed meeting with Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney.

A source told this newspaper Mr. Blakeney backed down on one demand and agreed to pay staff for two of the days they were out on strike.

Contacted yesterday, Mr. Blakeney described his position in the meeting as "pretty flexible".

The row began last Thursday after two Parks employees were disciplined for allegedly challenging Mr. Blakeney at a meeting.

Maintenance worker David Martin was given a 'stage two' warning; sanitation worker Wayne Smith got a verbal warning.

Workers were also upset because they were told to take time in lieu in place of overtime for the Annual Exhibition scheduled for April 15, 16 and 17. They say the move will cost them an extra $800.

One said the meeting with Mr. Blakeney had been scheduled to discuss the exhibition but instead focused on whether workers would be paid for the days they downed tools.

He claimed the Minister demanded that Mr. Martin and Mr. Smith apologise in exchange for staff being paid a compromise was eventually reached.

He said Parks staff were unanimous in supporting Mr. Martin and Mr. Smith.

"The Minister came back and put the warning down to a 'stage one' and they're going to pay us for two days out of three. The issue has been resolved. We're still working on the exhibition... we're putting our proposal to them."

The worker would not go into anymore detail but said a decision on the Annual Exhibition is expected by the end of the week.

Mr. Blakeney said: "I am negotiable. Know that I am pretty flexible. I am reserving comment until the matter is resolved. It's up to the workers and the BIU. Hopefully, as you say, common sense will prevail."

Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert was not available for comment by press time.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Kim Swan said the workers shouldn't be surprised their overtime had been banned considering Government spending.

He highlighted the following examples:

¦ Premier Ewart Brown's overseas travel costing taxpayers $30,000 a month;

¦ the Dockyard pier costing $65 million instead of $35 million;

¦ $100 million a year spent on consultants;

¦ $40 million allocated to pay interest on Government debt;

¦ a nine percent increase in Government spending this year.

"The overtime dispute is just one consequence of Government's wasteful and excess spending," Mr. Swan said. "While its spending continues to grow, the Government wants its workers to take home less pay. There is a double standard at work here and it does not favour the worker."