arbitration hearing held over the last two days concluded last night.

A decision is expected within two weeks. BIU chief Derrick Burgess said there was no truth to the report that there would no garbage collection today.

A press release from Government Information Services had announced that there would be no garbage collection because unionised staff members had withdrawn their labour to attend the arbitration hearings.

Mr. Burgess said: "That's news to me. The workers are back to work (today).

The hearing is over.'' Blue collar workers from several Government departments including Works and Engineering, Marine and Ports and Agriculture and Fisheries, attended the event. Many went inside to watch the proceedings.

While the labour leaders were locked in talks there was some disruption in Ferry Services and garbage collection.

Meanwhile the arbitration meeting -- whose decision will be accepted as binding by both sides -- centred around how pay increases are to be paid.

The BIU wanted a variable rate for the 2.98 per cent pay award with more going to lower paid workers and less to those on higher pay scales. Government favoured an across the board increase to all workers.

GOVERNMENT GVT