The Government ban on overtime and an increase in household waste has resulted in a trash backlog this week.

Piles of rotting garbage caused problems for residents across the Island, who were told by the Works Ministry on Monday to take trash to the Tynes Bay site, because garbage pick up would be slow in coming.

Bermuda Industrial Union President Derrick Burgess last night confirmed that, because of a freeze on Government overtime put into place two months ago, garbage workers had been unable to pick up mounting garbage this week.

But the union chief dismissed suggestions that the garbage crews downed tools in protest at the ban.

He added that the problem has reached a head, because the busy season leading up to Christmas meant more refuse being put out.

"It had to do with the overtime ban and in certain areas of Government you just can't ban overtime,'' he said.

`'There was also an issue with people who got sick and you need the extra time to get all the work done. Especially during this time of year - you have more trash.''

Although he refused to comment on whether the overtime ban would now be lifted for trash collectors, Mr. Burgess did stress that the matter was now resolved.

"There were some communications that didn't go down too well, but I talked to my people this morning and I've been assured that everything will will be back to normal today, maybe tomorrow," he said.

Last night Mr. Scott said the overtime ban was still in place - but a deal had been struck whereby trash collectors would now be able to clock off early if collection quotas were reached.

Following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US, Government introduced a series of cost saving measures because of a decline in tax revenue and a prediction of tough economic times ahead. An immediate overtime freeze on all Government departments was part of the belt tightening process.

In a statement released yesterday by the Ministry of Works and Engineering, Mr. Scott acknowledged there had been a problem, but said that traditionally this time of year posed a problem with trash pick-up.

He said that the Ministry apologised for any inconvenience and added that anyone who still had any garbage problems should contact the Marsh Folly Site Office at 292-7454.