taking legal action to change the Hotel Pension Fund.

The plan, which is managed by an independent board, prevents hotel employees who continue to work from collecting their pensions even if they reach the retirement age of 65, Mr. Russell said.

And, he complained yesterday, most workers in the hotel industry cannot afford to give up their jobs to obtain pension cheques which are usually around $200 monthly.

"It should be a way for them to maintain their job while collecting pensions,'' Mr. Russell said, adding that at Sonesta there are about seven people who are working beyond retirement age and "there are others like them in hotels throughout the Island''.

One of those people is Sonesta's 71-year-old doorman Mr. Aston Harrison who said it makes no sense to retire to collect $224 a month after 31 years of service.

"I'm still strong and healthy. Why should I go into retirement to collect about $224 a month? That's no money. It cannot even buy gas.'' Mr. Harrison questioned why the plan cannot be operated like Government's pension plan. He said he does not believe the union nor management care about how the plan is affecting senior employees.

And Mr. Charles Edmead, who is a 75-year-old security officer at Sonesta, echoed similar sentiments.

Mr. Edmead was forced to take the job at Sonesta 10 years ago after retiring from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries because his wife is paralysed.

While Mr. Edmead receives Government and social pensions, he said he still needs additional income.

"I want to retire,'' he said. "But I have to work to supplement the other pensions.'' And he said he knows of others who are in less fortunate situations.

"There are many people over 65 who are in the low income bracket and who have house rent to pay.'' Mr. Edmead said. "There are ladies over 65 who have lost their husbands. Any benefit like that (hotel pension) will be of help to them to lessen the burden.

"If Government does it, I don't see why this cannot be done.'' Mr. Russell said he has suggested several times that the hotel pension plan be changed to resemble Government's pension scheme in which employees are allowed to collect pensions at 65 and return to work under certain conditions.

However, Mr. Russell said his suggestion has fallen on deaf ears.

"This is not right. This is an injustice,'' he said. "Most people who are trustees are always saying how much they care, but when it comes to doing something it's another story.

"All it takes is changing a clause in the plan.'' But board chairman Mr. Robert Rans said: "Anything can be changed if you can afford it. Who's going to pay for this?'' He said the board reviews the entire plan every two to three years with actuaries. And last month specific questions were raised concerning this issue.

"It is very much under review,'' he said. "We are waiting a reply from the actuary.'' Mr. Rans could not say when he expected the reply.

Meanwhile, Mr. Russell said he has already seen a lawyer on the matter and is considering taking out a writ.