The eight hospital workers suspended for demonstrating two weeks ago have been reinstated.

Five social workers were given two-day suspensions while three union officials were suspended for five days for a peaceful lunchtime protest outside the Emergency Ward over plans to disperse medical social workers around King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

The suspensions were branded a union-busting tactic by the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) who threatened legal action.

Yesterday the BPSU and the Bermuda Hospital's Board (BHB) released a joint press statement in which the BHB announced the suspensions had been rescinded for "the peaceful picketing action".

The statement said: "Hospital management and the medical social workers were in the process of joint discussions over the issues including confidentiality related to the relocation.

"Feeling their concerns and their professionalism were not adequately acknowledged, the medical social workers elected to engage in lawful, peaceful picketing rather than exhaust the grievance procedure of the Collective Agreement."

During the dispute the BHB had attacked the suspended workers for releasing information to the Press without proper authorisation.

Yesterday's statement said: "It is mutually agreed the Bermuda Hospitals Board does not contravene its own clear policy.

"The parties recognise that more needs to be done to ensure the established policy is adhered to by all staff and will work together to achieve this end."

BPSU leader Ed Ball refused to comment, saying both parties had agreed to not speak further about the matter.

KEMH chief executive officer Stephanie Reid used the same reason when asked when the suspensions had been rescinded.

But a source said the eight were reinstated "almost a day after the suspensions" because the Labour Relations Department stepped in to look at the case.

The Royal Gazette understands Government said the workers were within their rights to protest as long as they did not block the entrance or encourage anyone else to join in.

The social workers are unhappy about plans to move them around the hospital and make them share offices with other staff - they say this would break down client confidentiality.

Mrs. Reid said the hospital was still in talks with the social workers over the issue but she could not say when a possible move was likely.

The hospital wants to have the social workers closer to the programmes they work with. Mrs. Reid said every effort would be made to ensure social workers could work in a professional manner.