Trash collectors staged a sit-in yesterday which disrupted pick-ups in the east of the Island in protest at floodings and poor conditions in their Marsh Folly headquarters in Pembroke.

The workers refused to leave the depot yesterday morning after a blockage resulted in toilet waste running over and bathrooms and offices being flooded.

Staff complained they were unable to wash or have a shower after their shifts because it lead to flooding in the building, which they said is condemned and is riddled with asbestos.

The workers eventually got back on the road in the afternoon and began collecting trash after management agreed to tackle the problems, which were found to be due to plastic pipe that was blocking the water, according to a Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) official.

Staff worked overtime yesterday evening and will continue working to clear up the backlog in the East End today.

The official told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "The building has been condemned and there is asbestos throughout it. There was water everywhere and a lot of smells in the bathroom and a lot of water over-running with human waste.

"Sometimes it happens on the run that you handle human and dog faeces and we have no wash facilities. If you have a shower, the toilet floods and you get water in the changing rooms and offices.

"The mood of the workers is that they are very much disgusted. There are lots issues, not just the building. There is also the disrespect from members of the public and they are not pleased with the wages they are receiving.

"The workers are wanting an increase in wages because of the increased workload due to the added construction work and the lack of safety." The official said around 40 workers took part in yesterday's stoppage and that management has promised to carry out the repairs as soon as possible.

Government has also agreed to carry out renovations of the building as quickly as possible and remove the asbestos, added the official.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott returned a call to The Royal Gazette yesterday, but he could not be contacted later for comment.