Nine workers at Government’s reverse osmosis plant at Prospect have downed tools this morning in support of a suspended colleague.

The men are demanding that the 37-year-old — who is off work on full pay — be reinstated immediately as they say he is a crucial part of their team and their workload without him is too much.

“He was suspended due to a verbal altercation between one of the foremen and himself,” said one man.

Another added: “They haven’t given reasons why he is out. We need him for our workload.”

The men — members of Bermuda Industrial Union who work in Works and Engineering’s water treatment and distribution section — say they gave management notice of the industrial action in writing last week.

They are protesting outside the plant on Fort Hill Road this morning and say that management told them to leave the premises and hand in their keys after they downed tools.

Read tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette for the full story.