Aquarium staff and Government over union membership.

Mr. Hodgson has moved to reassure aquarium staff that they will be consulted properly over whether or not they want to join a union.

The Minister spoke yesterday about the situation at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, where 18 workers have launched a legal battle over claims they were forced to join a union without a ballot.

Mr. Hodgson said he was hopeful the matter would be resolved amicably with the workers, who took on a lawyer to fight their case after discovering that union dues were to be taken from their wages without consultation.

The staff, who come under the control of the Ministry of Environment via the department of Agriculture and Fisheries, were angry after receiving notice that they were now part of the Bermuda Industrial Union, as part of its agency agreement with Government.

They allege that procedure has not been properly followed as a ballot on the decision was not held and lawyer Trevor Moniz is seeking a judicial review of the move.

Mr. Hodgson said the situation was probably a misunderstanding, which he hoped would be sorted out soon.

He added that since the staff came under his Ministry he had to be involved but said Personnel Services were also included.

The issue at the aquarium goes back several months and heightened after a Government memo told them they were now in the BIU, and that dues of between $10 and $13 a week would be deducted from their wages at source.