accepted a new pay and conditions deal "under duress''.

She said she was disheartened to hear that the Island's nurses had agreed to accept the last offer made by the Bermuda Hospitals Board when they were not completely happy.

Mrs. Young said pay which was felt to be unfair was a significant demotivator.

She said: "The nursing profession is predominantly female and has been traditionally paid less as an entire profession than the predominantly male professions, and, as we are entering the new millennium, it would have been progressive to provide equal pay for equal worth.

"We need staff who are appropriately paid and well motivated as they are fundamental to the provision of quality patient care.

"It is equally important to value, support and listen to the staff and their concerns and reward them for their competence and acquisition of any new skills.'' The nurses protested through the streets of Hamilton in December after discussions over pay and conditions between the hospitals board and the Bermuda Public Services Association (BPSA) broke down.

They said they wanted their salaries brought into line with the US, wanted to retain their annual bonus, which was under threat, and wanted fair pay across the ranks.

At the weekend, they accepted a deal, but said it was under duress as nurses in Bermuda were still being paid less than $30 an hour.

However, the BPSA is hoping for further pay increases when it begins negotiations again in June.