voted for union recognition.

The 42-to-six secret ballot came a week after labourers downed tools at Government's biggest capital project to protest "lack of union recognition''.

Workers complained that management -- Denmark construction giant E. Pihl & Son and local Gringley Construction Ltd. -- were paying below normal wages.

And they said they were forced to endure unsafe and unfair conditions at the North Shore, Devonshire site, including contractors' refusal to pay their share of pension and insurance contributions.

The men, including heavy equipment operators and carpenters, refused to return to work until they received "honest answers and respect'' from management.

But they were back to work the next day after management met with Bermuda Industrial Union boss Mr. Ottiwell Simmons and Government Labour Relations Officer Mr. Edwin Wilson and agreed to allow a secret ballot on union recognition.

BIU construction division head Mr. Kenyetta Young yesterday said workers were "quite satisfied'' with the ballot results.

But, he added, "the big joy will come when we have the agreement. We felt union recognition was our right. Hopefully, we will have a very successful agreement with no hiccups''.

He said negotiations on an agreement are expected to begin on Tuesday.

No one from E. Pihl & Son and Gringley Construction could be reached for comment yesterday.