Unionised staff at Belco and Bermuda Gas downed tools yesterday, until a conference with management saw controversial hand-scanning devices scrapped.The timekeepers, which staff say can read fingerprints, were allegedly installed without prior consultation with them.Following a meeting with Ascendant Group management, Electricity Supply Trade Union president Ray Bean told protesting workers the technology wouldn’t be used after all.He said their pay would not be docked for the approximately two hours spent off work.Roughly 100 ESTU members gathered outside the Serpentine Road facility in protest of the scanners, which were installed as timekeeping devices.“Normally you never hear of us because we never have this kind of problem,” Mr Bean said.He described the introduction of the timekeeping devices as “a dangerous precedent”.He said workers weren’t in outright disagreement with the technology, but had been affronted at having it installed without notice.A company spokeswoman said: “At issue is the ESTU’s objection to Bermuda Gas’ implementation of a biometrics hand-scanning timekeeping system.“The system was implemented at the end of December for all employees, union and management.”The devices themselves were only deployed within the company in recent days.One staff member said he first noticed them last Friday and was unsure what information the machines would scan for.“We don’t have any idea how much information these things would be taking,” he said.According to the company, the benefit of the new system was its ability to integrate with the payroll system, thereby providing greater efficiency.The spokeswoman continued: “The ESTU opposes the use of biometrics.“Following a meeting between the ESTU executive and management, the two sides agreed to suspend the biometrics system and discuss a new method moving forward. All employees returned to work at 10am.”