Bermuda Industrial Union will take industrial action today in disgust at arrogant management and Government that does not care.

But it was unclear last night whether the strike would last all day with BIU president Derrick Burgess saying he had not been told by his members what was planned.

One bus driver told The Royal Gazette that buses would not be running at all today.

The BIU, which has around 4,000 members, is organising an 8 a.m. meeting at the union's HQ with a march on Parliament around an hour later.

Asked if the workers would return to work after the march on Parliament, Mr. Burgess said: "I don't know, the workers haven't told me. I am sure they will tell me some time."

But last night he said he was still in the dark about the extent of the action but denied that it was odd that the workers, not the leadership, were organising the action.

He said: "We, the executive of this union, work for the workers, any decisions in the past and in the future are made by the workers not the executive."

Asked what the march would achieve he said: "Ask the workers on the march, I am sure they will tell you."

Employers complained about being kept in the dark about the strike.

Public Transport Board Director Dan Simmons said: "As far as I am concerned things will be as usual on Friday morning until I hear different."

Marine and Ports Acting Director Mike Dolding said: "It's a bit vague. I heard third hand that industrial action was planned. My concern is the ferry service but I will have to wait and see whether the guys turn up."

Chamber of Commerce Executive Diane Gordon said: "This will cause disruption right throughout the working day with the trickle down effect on buses and transport."

Shadow Labour Minister Patricia Gordon Pamplin said labour tensions were the result of the economic squeeze. She said: "We are seeing the failure of a labour government. There has been more labour strife since this labour government was elected than we ever had in this country. It's dreadful."

BTC spokeswoman Ona Fletcher said the company was aware the BIU meeting had been called but it had not received official notice from the union.

Employers Council president Eddie Saints said the action would be illegal in the essential services as no official notice had been given.

He said: "This seems to have come out of the blue. A mass walkout is not productive."

He said dialogue between management and worker was essential as companies moved to outsourcing and restructuring to stay in business. "I can only suspect communication has not been as it should have been."

He said the recent resurrection of the Labour Advisory Committee in which government, unions and employers thrashed out issues was a hopeful sign.

At a press conference at the BIU representatives from different sections outlined their frustrations.

Marine and Ports Division President Randolph Smith listed the contributions made by the workers to the island's well-being and added: "We have on many occasions disregarded our own health and safety to save the lives of others.

"We the workers have done our part. Now is the time for Government to do its part."

But he said managers were ignoring collective bargaining agreements and arbitration awards.

"Daily we are confronted by arrogant managers who disrespect us. We have negotiated in good faith with our employers. We have taken all necessary steps required by law to resolve numerous outstanding issues affecting us. He continued: "We have written countless letters to the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety.

"We have received not effective response and in many instances, no response at all. In too many instances we have had no resolution to pressing issues affecting our workplace."

Mr. Smith said workers had elected the PLP because they thought they would uphold the rights of workers but had been badly disappointed.

Acting Labour Minister Sen. Col. David Burch said it would be easier to address people's concerns if they were in writing.

He said: "It would bring some clarity if they were in writing."

Recent disputes include those at BTC, Cablevision, Stevedoring Services and the Aquarium.

The union claimed yesterday that BIU Vice President Chris Furbert was set upon by Serco management at the airport and was saved by fellow workers who came to his aid. Serco did not return calls yesterday.

In a press advert on Wednesday the BIU also hit out at Cablevision, claiming Bermudians were paid less, barred from Sunday working, while foreigners were working outside the terms of their work permits. Staff are also unhappy at an automatic $200 deduction for vehicle accidents.

Yesterday, General Manager Jeremy Elmas said the concerns had been dealt with and the day before the advert appeared, they had not been brought up in a meeting with management.

He said the company had an open-door policy. "We regret that certain employees don't take advantage of this fact."

However Mr. Burgess said Mr. Elmas was trying to fool the public. He said Mr. Elmas has refused the advice of a Government Labour Relations Officer to apologise to a worker at whom he had thrown a copy of the collective bargaining agreement.