Around 1,000 Government manual workers approved an inflation busting three percent pay rise yesterday after a meeting lasting more than two hours at BIU headquarters.

The two-year deal marks a tiny improvement on the 2.98 percent pay award gained in 1998 which expired on December 31.

Inflation stood at 2.7 percent in November -- and has averaged the same figure over the preceding 12 months.

The new agreement will see certain categories of workers get even better deals.

Union President Derrick Burgess said: "There's upgrades, some improvements for people who have been there for 25 years.

"We got some premium increases but I would prefer not to go into detail.'' "We had a meeting and the majority of the workers accepted the proposal.'' A BIU team led by First Vice President Chris Furbert had eleven rounds of talks with Government beginning in early November before reaching a deal over the weekend.

Several hundred workers turned up to the 1 p.m. meeting yesterday to vote on whether to accept the agreement.

A packed meeting in the main hall broke up shortly after 3 p.m. while the overspill who were in the top floor meeting hall left shortly before 4 p.m.

Workers leaving the meeting gave a mixed response to the deal with some expressing satisfaction and others saying it wasn't good enough.

One Agriculture and Fisheries worker told The Royal Gazette before the meeting: "Those at the lowest end of the scale get paid around $18 an hour -- but we work harder than almost everybody else. We need more.'' Asked if he was happy with the three percent rise Mr. Burgess said: "One is never happy, you try to get as much as you can in negotiations.

"It's three per cent in the first year and three percent in the second year.

"There were pay upgrades in certain categories -- as well as the three percent across the board rise.

"A lot of the foremen got upgrades in pay.'' "There is premium pay for doing certain things like height pay, dirty work pay, cess pits, sight seeing allowance. Those type of things are premiums.

"There are quite a few areas where there is a premium on top.'' But he said the BIU would be back to the negotiating table before the two-year deal was up if prices rises wiped out gains.

He said: "If the inflation rate goes above three percent I am pretty sure our workers will look for a cost of living adjustment.

He added: "Most agreements are two years, that's normal. Some are three.'' Those affected by the new deal include workers at Marine and Ports, the Public Transport Board, Parks, the West End Development Corporation, The St. George's Corporation, the Aquarium, Government House workers, Police mechanics and Government golf course workers.

Yesterday's meeting caused disruption on public transport.

Marine and Ports Director Ron Ross said: "The workers left at noon and then came back and the boats went out at just before four o' clock.

"There were no complaints from the public but we did put out a warning on the radio.'' Public Transport Director Designate Dann (CORR) Simmons said his staff left at 12.30 p.m. to attend the meeting but were back by 3 p.m. for the school run.

He said: "To my knowledge all obligations for picking up kids were met. At the end of the day I checked with staff and we had had a successful day.'' Derrick Burgess