Support staff at CedarBridge Academy yesterday called in sick as part of an organised industrial action.

Bermuda Public Services Union president Armell Thomas said the move came after a secretary was asked to work outside her regular duties.

"When you change people's job descriptions, you have to go to the union," he explained.

The woman was hired as a school secretary. She was recently asked to take on duties at CedarBridge's performing arts centre, the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

Mr. Thomas said he met with CedarBridge board president George Scott over the issue yesterday afternoon.

He said he hoped the workers — comprised of security staff, secretaries and cafeteria workers would be back at CedarBridge today.

"First thing [yesterday] morning we knew there was a sick-out," he said. "We know some things are boiling over from some directors of the board. When the staff come back we will meet with them."

Mr. Thomas said he couldn't say exactly how many staff had been involved.

"There's a good number of them," he said. "They represent a good bit. It didn't affect the kids or anything. There was backup security staff and cafeteria staff. But hopefully, I know they're out sick, but hopefully they will be back out tomorrow and we will be able to meet with them."

Support staff at CedarBridge threatened to walk last month after the school board proposed a plan to reduce working hours.

The move would have cost administrative assistants, security guards, maintenance workers and cafeteria workers approximately one hour a day in pay.

"I know some things are boiling. There's a lot of things going on," Mr. Thomas said. "They [ the workers] were just at the end of it. In a nutshell, we tried to rectify everything to ensure the safety of the kids. Hopefully staff will be back today. I know there were some other concerns but I'll get the gist of them when they get back to work."

Mr. Thomas said he felt the industrial action was warranted.

"I really don't want the public to think that they're doing a sick-out just to do a sick-out. Times are getting tough but we can't have managers taking it for granted that because times are getting tough they can [take advantage of people].

"I have to support my members. Staff are acting out in different ways because management are not listening to the cries that are coming forward."