after they expressed anger at poor working conditions.

BIU leader Derrick Burgess said there were leaks in the workshop roofs and that management had been aware of problems for two years without doing anything about it.

He said: "It is below health and safety standards.'' Acting Marine and Ports Director Michael Dolding agreed the facilities needed upgrading but said a funding hitch had delayed phase two of improvements.

He said he was hopeful Government would release the $150-200,000 needed to improve toilets, the lunch room, the locker room and the store room. He said work could be completed within six months.

He said: "We had funds tentatively allocated by Works and Engineering but some of these funds were not made available.

"It's a budget process and I would like to think within the next couple of weeks we should find out.

"We are making arrangements in the department to secure these funds because we recognise facilities are not up to the standard we would like.'' "High levels of Government know the issues and the importance of getting the work done.'' And he said improvements had been slow coming as facilities are owned by the West End Development Corporation and rented to Government so ownership issues had to be thrashed out.

He also said widespread consultation with staff and research had caused delays.

He explained: "Two years ago management and unions realised that the Dockyard workshop needed to be improved and upgraded.

"Right from the beginning we had involved the unions and workforce. A mechanic went away with a general manager to look at workshops in the States.

"We looked at workshops at Belco and PTB to make a plan of what we needed to do to improve the facilities.

"We agreed with staff on a way forward and drew up a plan.'' He said this had taken time as there was large workforce of around 60 people.

"Planning approval also had to be gained before work could begin,'' said Mr.

Dolding.

Mr. Dolding pointed out that phase one of the plan, which involved a new electrical workshop and two new offices had been put in place. He said: "One of the offices was for the engineering foreman who is one of the union people making this an issue.'' And Mr. Dolding denied the building infringed safety standards but said the workers themselves needed to make sure they kept workshops safe.