Bus drivers and the allied workers division last night called off their "work to rule" after receiving a commitment that safety at the central bus terminal will be addressed.

The decision is a turnaround from Friday's three-hour meeting between the division members and the Police Commissioner George Jackson, Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Adams, PTB Director Dan Simons and his Deputy Jonelle Christopher, where angry workers stormed out.

Last night the workers were meeting to decide whether their dispute over safety had finally come to the point of arbitration or continuing the work to rule.

Instead, Chris Furbert, Bermuda Industrial Union(BIU) president said the workers felt after 15 to 18 months of discussions over the bus terminal they were finally being heard, so they decided to resume their normal duties. "The bus drivers and the allied workers division decided to lift the work to rule and leave it in the hands of the BIU executive officers and the division officers.

"We have a window, now with the Police and the Public Transportation Board (PTB) to address the safety concerns at the central bus terminal.

"There are some challenges and we will have to address them, but workers felt they were being heard so ended the work to rule."

The meeting which lasted an hour and 45 minutes and was attended by about 80 bus drivers and the allied workers, was a definite change in direction.

On Friday only two of five issues were resolved. The remaining three: a solution for shelter for dispatchers from inclement weather, the legality of reversing from the terminal and hatching lines from City Hall up to the bus terminal to reduce congestion remained disputed.

Yesterday, Police confirmed they would monitor Washington Street and Mr. Furbert last night said a sign at the entrance of the street was changed on Saturday to clearly indicate that the public should not use it as a thru-street.

These commitments convinced the workers, their very real safety concerns were going to be addressed, according to Mr. Furbert, however, updates will have to be given.

"We will have to report back in 15 days to update them on what is being done and in 30 days we will have to give them a full report," he added.

"Others will have to do whatever they need to do to make it safe. We need to see a commitment, for example, from Works and Engineering as to when they will change the shelter.

"They need to give a timeline in writing so the workers can see the commitment."