Bus services ground to a halt yesterday after drivers downed tools in support of a suspended colleague.

Union officials say 90 percent of drivers took action after a three-day suspension was handed to Glenn Simmons, their chief shop steward in the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU).

It meant services were severely disrupted for up to two hours from about 10 a.m. until Public Transportation Board (PTB) bosses agreed to drop Mr. Simmons? suspension.

According to union bosses, disciplinary action was taken against Mr. Simmons after a problem with the communication system due to a storm on Friday.

They say drivers were unable to contact dispatch because telephone lines were down. As a result, Mr. Simmons told them to take ?whichever bus was available at the terminal?.

Chris Furbert, president of the BIU, said: ?The workers were not satisfied that the chief shop steward had been suspended for three days.

?We thought the suspension of Mr. Simmons was harsh ? he is a loyal and hard-working employee.

?About 90 percent of the workers or more agreed to take part in the temporary work stoppage.

?After I arrived, I had a meeting with Dan Simmons (PTB director) and he agreed to drop the suspension. In the future, if this happens again I understand a better procedure will be in place.?

Glenn Simmons is the president and chief shop steward of the PTB?s Bus Operators and Allied Workers division.

PTB director Dan Simmons said Glenn Simmons had ?stepped outside the rules? and described action taken against him as ?lenient?. He said the suspension was overturned after new information came to light.

?It?s an issue that?s been dealt with,? he said. ?Mr. Furbert and I have come together and worked it out.

?Mr. Simmons was given a suspension which we have overturned. I thought his behaviour was unbecoming of an officer.?