Airport workers waved banners and chanted as they marched in front of passengers to protest about late pay cheques.

The demonstration, featuring 12 uniformed members of staff from US Airways, lasted for up to three hours around lunch time yesterday. Staff in the picket line complained they regularly received cheques two to three days late for most of 2006 — and again this week — leaving them struggling to pay bills and feed their families.

They walked in line up and down the entrance of the airport from about 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Banners had messages including: “On-time performance works both ways — pay me on time”; “US Airways — all work no play”; and “Make us fly — no pay cheque, no fly.”

As commuters passed them on their way to catch flights, they repeatedly chanted: “All work, no pay, we don’t play.”

Workers finally agreed to return to their jobs after management agreed to speak to them over the issue in early afternoon.

US Airways stressed employees would get their late pay cheques by the end of yesterday and insisted no flights were delayed as a result of the action.

A delayed flight from the Island to Philadelphia was a result of bad weather, officials said.

Ed Ball, general secretary of Bermuda Public Services Union, said the action came after months of frustration.

“It’s been a major problem in 2006,” he said. “Sometimes the pay cheques have been two or three days late, and sometimes even longer.

“There’s definitely been some kind of hiccup between the courier and the company.

“These people have got families to feed and they need to receive their pay cheques on time.

“During the afternoon, we made contact with US Airways and their general manager agreed to talk to us to attempt to come up with a solution.

“Staff will be at work tomorrow. I need to get more details from US Airways to see how things will continue from here.”

US Airways said the people taking industrial action represented more than half the total staff, but insisted a number remained on duty.

A spokeswoman said yesterday: “Our pay cheques were delayed in getting to our Bermuda station from our Tempe headquarters by FedEx, and understandably, some workers were upset.

“However, there were no disruptions to flights, and they are back to work now. They’ll have their pay cheques today.”