laid-off waiters were poor workers.

They told bosses to back up their allegations against the non-Bermudians.

But management reportedly refused to hand over files, saying the matter was closed.

The clash came during talks yesterday between Bermuda Industrial Union general secretary Molly Burgess and Sonesta vice-president Dennis Tucker.

Also present were Sonesta president and managing director Joseph Violi, a shop steward and two of the waiters -- Darragh Moore and Robert Faichney.

The meeting at the hotel was said to have lasted about ten or 15 minutes, with neither side giving ground.

Mr. Tucker later confirmed he held talks, but declined to comment.

"We are not planning any more meetings,'' he said.

Ms Burgess, however, said the matter was far from over and vowed to continue to fight for the waiters.

"We are not going to see anybody treated unfairly. Right now I don't even know why their jobs have been taken away.'' Laid off with Mr. Moore and Mr. Faichney were an Indian waiter and two Barbadians, Roy Richards and Warrington Lorde.

They received their six weeks' notice on New Year's Day after the busiest period of the year.

Four of them were preparing to go on holiday -- one to get married -- when the bombshell was dropped.

Mr. Moore and Mr. Faichney, who are seeking other jobs, claimed management failed to come up with a single valid reason for not renewing their work permits.

They fear they may have been victimised for being prepared to speak out when asked by management to comment on the running of the hotel.

In a letter to Mr. Moore, Mr. Violi stated: "All non-Bermudian employees are employed under a work permit that runs year to year. Darragh, your permit expires on March 25, 1997.

Union demands proof on workers From Page 1 "In the evaluation of those work permits we will put in for renewal, we have made a decision not to renew your permit for the 1997 season.'' Mr. Violi added: "This decision was made due to consistent and documented work related issues this year, and your performance was less than satisfactory.'' Ms Burgess said management at yesterday's meeting did not accept the five had been terminated.

"They just said they are not renewing the work permits. We now have to take the matter further and decide what to do.

"We have an obvious difference with management because we feel the five are terminated.'' Ms Burgess said management refused to provide documents allegedly showing why the five were let go.

"We are looking for documentation and reasons why management made their decision.'' Asked about the tone of the meeting, Ms Burgess replied: "We weren't throwing boulders, if that's what you mean.'' Mr. Faichney told The Royal Gazette he did not believe management wanted him and Mr. Moore present at yesterday's meeting.

But he claimed Ms Burgess intervened successfully on their behalf.

"We sat down and I turned round and said to Mr. Tucker `you said in the letter our contracts were being terminated because of consistent and documented work related issues. Can you present to us those documents?'. He refused.

"Molly Burgess also asked, but they refused, saying they didn't have to hand over anything. Ms Burgess wanted the information to build a case.'' Twenty-six-year-old Mr. Faichney, who comes from Scotland, believed he had a legal right to see the files and get copies of documents.

"The management also said they saw no cause for a grievance. Ms Burgess couldn't believe their attitude. She apparently went to see an Acting Minister.'' Mr. Faichney said he and Mr. Moore would be returning to work today.

"We can't resign. Mr. Violi said he expected us to act in professional manner, and we said we will act professionally and work.'' He added: "The meeting lasted no more than ten or 15 minutes. The management then got up and left, saying the matter was closed.''