would-be Bermudian air traffic controllers.

Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott said spouses of Bermudians were being offered more money for the same job and training.

And he accused Government and Airport contractor Serco Aviation Services Inc.

of casting Bermudians to the "bottom of the heap'' in the salary stakes.

He called on Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill to investigate alleged discrimination against Bermudians.

But yesterday, the Minister responsible for the Bases, Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons mounted a strong counter-attack.

"It is unfortunate Mr. Scott has misunderstood the situation or purposely used half-truths to twist facts around,'' he said.

It was "blatantly false'' for Mr. Scott to say Bermudians were being "forced to reject a salary that is lower than that offered spouses of Bermudians for the same job and training''.

Dr. Gibbons went on to point out: The five unqualified Bermudians being taken on were apprentices, and would undergo training worth $50,000; The two spouses of Bermudians taking over as air traffic controllers on June 1, who will be paid $45,000 without housing allowance, were fully trained and qualified: One had over 25 years of experience; Serco was carrying out a review of salaries, and some adjustments were anticipated; Serco faced the problem of having no existing salary levels in Bermuda for air traffic controllers or meteorological jobs. It had to use standards set in other places; Serco was surprised at the good quality of the applications from Bermudians, who tended to be mature and had already progressed in their careers. This reflected in salary expectations; and Bermudianisation at the Airport would take place faster than originally expected.

"It would be very unfair to suggest that Serco was in any way scraping the bottom of the barrel,'' said Dr. Gibbons.

"All the applicants had to undergo rigorous mental tests, and the short list was very good.'' Mr. Scott hit out yesterday following The Royal Gazette's revelation last week that top prospects for Bermuda's first air traffic control jobs had turned up their noses at the $30,000 salary offer.

The paper also disclosed that five non-Bermudian air traffic controllers brought in from Canada would each be paid $45,000, plus a housing allowance of about $1,400 a month.

This compared with $45,000, without housing allowance, for two spouses of Bermudians.

Said Mr. Scott: "The most blatant and recent example of the glass ceiling effect on Bermudians has been perpetrated by Serco, with the blessing of Dr.

Gibbons and, by virtue of his silence, that of John Irving Pearman, Minister for Labour and Home Affairs.

"Now we have a three-tiered salary discrimination: non-Bermudians first; spouses of Bermudians second and once again, Bermudians at the bottom of the heap.'' Mr. Scott added: "So what is the real worth of the job? $61,000? $45,000? $30,000? He said Serco's project manager Mr. Don Parrish had claimed: "Bermuda's tower was not a busy one, and the Bermudians who worked inside it would only have to learn visual control, rather than instrument control, of incoming aircraft.

"Salaries started at about $30,000 at equivalent towers in Canada.'' But, asked Mr. Scott: "If the airport is not busy for Bermudians, how will it be busier for non-Bermudians and spouses of Bermudian air traffic controllers? "The explanation from Mr. Parrish for the high benefit package for the non-Bermudians is `These are short-term jobs. It's to compensate, really, for the fact most of them have left other positions to come here'.'' Mr. Scott accused Dr. Gibbons and Mr. Pearman of demonstrating a "callous disregard'' for Bermudians.

"Gibbons and Pearman are saying it's okay for Serco and all employers to treat Bermudians with complete disdain, by ignoring the fact that Bermudians are displaced by first the claim of Bermudians not being qualified for positions and, now, by simply offering Bermudians less money than any other group of people trained for the same post.

"The hotel industry is becoming de-Bermudianised for the same reason.'' Mr. Scott concluded by urging Mr. Dill to ensure that Dr. Gibbons and Mr.

Pearman report and monitor the Bermudianisation of the Airport.

Dr. Gibbons, however, said it was important to distinguish between the seven fully-trained air traffic controllers moving into their posts on June 1 -- the date for Bermuda to take over air operations from the US Navy -- and the trainee Bermudians.

These trainees were not in a position to take over any posts for nine months or a year, he said.

Dr. Gibbons said Serco had only a short time in which to find seven fully-qualified controllers.

He said three were training with the Navy, and being familiarised with Bermuda; and four were undergoing familiarisation in preparation for June 1.

"Within the seven there are two spouses of Bermudians, and this is where the confusion lies.

Air traffic salaries attacked "These spouses are fully trained and fully qualified, and don't require training as air traffic controllers. One has over 25 years of experience.'' Dr. Gibbons highlighted the difference in the salary package between the two spouses of Bermudians and the five non-Bermudians.

Both would be paid $45,000, although the non-Bermudians would receive a housing allowance.

"The difference is that the five non-Bermudians will be leaving after nine months. They will probably be here under a year.

"The idea is to replace them with the trainees who will undergo training in the meantime.

"The non-Bermudians are here for the short term. There is no future for them in Bermuda, and they had to interrupt their career paths to come here. It is a high-risk situation and one would naturally expect Serco to find housing for them.'' Dr. Gibbons said the five Bermudians would undergo training at Bailbrook College in Britain for four months.

This would be followed by four months on-the-job training in Bermuda.

"It is possible by the end of 1995 these trainees will have replaced the five non-Bermudians who are here on short-term basis.'' Dr. Gibbons said the trainees, once qualified, could expect to rise up the salary scale.

He said three Bermudians had accepted the position to date.

"Serco are looking for another two. However, because of the unhappiness with the entry salary level of $30,000, Serco put on hold any further job offers until they had a chance to look at the salary levels for air traffic controllers and other posts.'' Dr. Gibbons said it was important to strike a balance.

Salaries should not be so much that they did not reflect experience and forced taxpayers to shoulder an unfair burden.