Striking park employees are set to go back to work today after talks on the hiring of long-term residents over Bermudians.

More than 120 parks employees downed tools yesterday morning in protest at the practice.

Roger Parris, supervising foreman for the Arboretum, said the action took place after 300 Bermudians applied for three positions at Parks, but long-term residents got the jobs.

A Labour Department spokeswoman said last night a tentative resolution had been reached in the Parks dispute.

She said: "It is anticipated that the resolution will be ratified tomorrow."

Mr. Parris said the problem had been going on a while.

"We are getting tired of it. Lots of Bermudians are suffering and need a job. We came together and made a stand about that.

"Bermudians should be picked first over hiring long-term residents," he said.

BIU president Derrick Burgess said the problem dated back to 2003.

He said Bermudians who had previously worked in the department had been passed over yet the department was taking people who didn't speak or write English and the latest long-term resident hired wore a supporting brace which restricted his mobility.

Mr. Burgess said the workers would vote on a solution today.

Earlier in the day Supervising Foreman Sam Santucci said around 120 workers were "standing firm on the hiring of Bermudians".

"They should be hiring Bermudians first and all others after," he said.

And to the recently hired long-term residents, he said: "For those whose three months are not up, I'm sorry, but your jobs are in jeopardy".

There is also tension about the way in which workers were promoted, or upgraded, in the Department.

Workers are upset at having to go to school and learn the Latin names of plants in order to be upgraded.

"We are doing the same thing, weeding, planting, pruning, but they won't upgrade us, we have to go to school and learn the Latin names and do a test," another worker said.

Mr. Parris said they wanted four tractor operators, but the number was reduced to three.

He said they wanted two beach tractors in order to keep the beaches clean with larger cruise ships arriving on the Island.

Mr. Santucci said his boss, Martin Brown, was in negotiations at the House of Assembly last Friday with Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield, Labour and Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Robert Horton, acting Environment Permanent Secretary Dr. Tom Sleeter, along with BIU president Derrick Burgess and BIU representative Graham Nisbett from Parks.

Mr. Parris said there was also anger over two young adults with special needs who were not getting paid.

"We wanted them to get paid $50 or $100 a week but they said no. They said it was a risk but we say they have been here for 12 years why is it now a risk? They are not getting paid.

"We wanted them to get minimum wage or at least something. But they said they can stay as it is, or get cracking."

Parks workers have also been upset over health and safety issues.