Bus drivers stepped up their work to rule yesterday in anger at delays in back pay.

The action has also spread to garbage collectors who missed pick ups in the western parishes.

Around 1,000 Government workers are still waiting for pay backdated to January 2003 after an arbitration award last November.

Government blames the Bermuda Industrial Union for not signing the agreement while the union says the pay should come before the signing. Government has promised the money by this Thursday.

On Sunday, bus drivers said they would boycott two of yesterday's after-school runs ? from Berkeley to St. George's and CedarBridge to Barnes Corner.

However additional school routes were hit yesterday, including Somerset Terminal/Sandys Middle School to Hamilton, Clearwater to St. George's, St. David's to Barnes Corner and St. George's to Barnes Corner.

And other routes hit included evening services to Barnes Corner, Grotto Bay, Pond Hill, Spanish Point via North Shore and Somerset.

Berkeley Deputy Principal Sandra Burrows said the bus action had not affected attendance.

Speaking at leaving time yesterday she said: "No one seems to be milling about.

"What will tend to happen is those who can't go home will wait for parents to knock off work and pick them up. But generally speaking it doesn't seem to be an issue."

The Public Transport Board promised to give updates on further developments and apologised for inconvenience to the public.

Last night Government remained hopeful the action would not continue today.

Labour Minister Randy Horton said: "It is disappointing whenever our school age children or indeed members of the general public, who depend on public transportation, are affected in this way.

"I am acutely aware the current labour dispute has had an impact upon parents who have had to make alternative arrangements for their children.

"Now that we have set a payment date, I trust that the workers will return to normal schedules so that parents and their children are not further inconvenienced."

Yesterday the Ministry of Works and Engineering and Housing said residents in the western zone whose garbage was left uncollected yesterday should take it in until a collection tomorrow morning or take it to the Tynes Bay public drop off which is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

It is anticipated that garbage not collected on the normal collection day, will be collected on Wednesday. This will also apply to Tuesday's collection.

The Ministry apologised to affected residents.