the new Act could be breaking international regulations.

The Trade Union Amendment Act, which allows workplace ballots on union certification and decertification but excludes middle management, was steered through Parliament amid much controversy in March.

But the Act has still not been signed by the Governor because it could be in breach of International Labour Organisation regulations.

Last night Deputy Governor Peter Willis confirmed the Governor was still examining the Act and had not yet made a decision on whether it should be signed.

And he will also be meeting with union bosses tomorrow to seek their views on the matter.

"The position is that since the bill passed through the House various claims have been made,'' Mr. Willis said.

"It has been claimed that it was unconstitutional. This is not the case, the bill doesn't contravene the provisions of the Constitution.

"There have also been claims that the Act inflicts on the provisions of the ILO conventions.

"We are looking at the ILO conventions, and there are many, in order that we may fully understand the position before the Governor takes any action on signature.'' Ed Ball Jr., head of the Bermuda Public Services Association, would not comment on the issue but did confirm that he will be meeting with the Governor tomorrow.

But Opposition Senator Terry Lister said he believed the Act would have to be changed before it could become law.

Speaking in the Senate yesterday, he said the Act was "fraught with difficulties'' and that the Governor would not sign it.

When the bill was being debated in the House of Assembly four months ago PLP MPs threatened taking legal action against the Government.

But then-Labour Minister Quinton Edness said: "The Act was brought forward to give protection to some 25,000 unrepresented employees. I would have thought that the PLP would have supported that and accepted the Government's position that further discussion has to take place.'' GOVERNMENT GVT