most of their demands were met by Government yesterday.

The unanimous vote with one abstention came after two hours of debate at Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters.

Acting Home Affairs Minister Renee Webb said she was pleased the officers had set aside the action and said they had been shown a commitment from the Minister, Paula Cox.

"The action is stopped. As of now, all of our demands have been met,'' Prison Officers Association chairman Lynn Hall said after the meeting.

"There is one outstanding issue that is to be resolved in the next few weeks,'' he added, but would not be drawn on the issue.

Mr. Hall said Government's reaction had been "encouraging'' and "shows good faith''.

He added: "That's more than what we have been getting up to now. The temporary staff are relieved.'' The development came after Ms Cox last week assured officers that six initiatives to help resolve staff shortages at Westgate Correctional Facility would be implemented immediately.

On Monday Mr. Hall said five of the demands had not yet been met and said the action would continue if they had still not been implemented by the time the meeting started last night.

For seven days prison officers have refused to guard and escort inmates who have to leave the Island's prisons to attend court.

Police officers have been called in to carry out the duties while the action went on, stretching their resources.

Mr. Hall's deputy, Michael Tuzo, said there was still the possibility of further industrial action, saying: "The bottom line is that we do expect a commitment from Government with respect to still ongoing issues.'' "If we don't see that commitment there is the possibility of more action,'' he added.

The officers have demanded more staff after an inquiry recommended that 120 officers be employed at Westgate. Fewer than 100 have been working at the facility since it opened in 1994.

Officers said the shortage creates additional problems like officer safety, low morale, a negative perception of the service, and they complained of a lack of security training both here and abroad.

Ms Webb said: "The fact that the action has been set aside is quite understandable, considering the discussions between the Minister and the Association.

"I am sure the Minister's commitment was taken back to the group. The minister had briefed me before she left and indicated that the deliberations had been successful.''