Garbage went uncollected yesterday morning as the Corporation of Hamilton dispute rumbled on.

Bermuda Industrial Union workers only returned to the job in the afternoon, affecting garbage collection, street cleaning and other city services.

Yesterday BIU chief organiser George Scott did not return this newspaper's requests for comment on the latest developments in negotiations.

Corporation secretary and chief operating officer Edward Benevides would only say: "The services that have been impacted by the staff's industrial action include garbage collection and street cleaning within the city.

"We met with union officials this morning and the staff returned to their respective jobs this afternoon. Garbage collection resumed again this afternoon. We apologise to the public for the inconvenience caused."

About 100 industrialised Corporation workers downed tools following a three-hour emergency meeting on Tuesday.

A Corporation spokeswoman said: "The Corporation of Hamilton management and Bermuda Industrial Union officials were in talks all morning to resolve the dispute.

"Workers returned to their respective jobs this afternoon, however not before a number of city services were affected."

It was unclear last night whether issues voiced by workers had been resolved.

Staff told The Royal Gazette on Tuesday they are owed thousands of dollars in back pay, and are also unhappy some overtime work is being subcontracted out.

The chief shop steward, who would not be named, said: "There's a few little things that we need to sort out. We are just trying to work towards a harmonious environment."