Negotiations are ongoing between Government and Immigration officers over the creation of a new shift schedule.

Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox last night confirmed there was a dispute and there had been meetings with the officers who belonged to the Bermuda Public Services Association.

One of the main issues was cutbacks in overtime, she said.

The officers are reportedly on a work to rule while the negotiations are ongoing -- but Ms Cox said the situation had not developed far enough to involve the Labour Relations Office. Ms Cox -- who in addition to having responsibilities for Immigration and the LRO -- said: "There have been ongoing talks. I don't think we're at the stage of taking it to Labour Relations. I'm of course familiar with it because I'm the Immigration Minister.'' Ms Cox said Government was responsible for the public purse and could no longer justify shifts of 18 people on duty in the late afternoons and evenings considering the numbers of people that flew in during those times.

But she called the dispute "a test of reasonableness'' and hoped that "common sense would prevail'' while promising further negotiation.

Immigration officers turned up the heat in the dispute on Monday by ordering the work to rule and staying away from a meeting with Ministry officials yesterday.