five non-Bermudian waiters.

He said the decision had been made for business reasons after a review of the running of the hotel.

Meanwhile, it emerged last night two of the waiters would be handing copies of hotel files on them to union chiefs.

Twenty-six-year-old Robert Faichney said he would be going to the Human Resources Department today to look at his files.

He added Darragh Moore, 22, got photocopies of his files yesterday after visiting the department.

"I will do the same and we will hand them to the union.'' The other waiters facing the axe are an Indian 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.

Sonesta boss defends firings From Page 1 In a letter to Mr. Moore, Mr. Violi, also managing director, said the hotel had evaluated its profitability and guest satisfaction and assessed the job performance of staff.

He stated the decision not to renew Mr. Moore's permit -- which expires on March 25, 1997 -- was made "due to consistent and documented work related issues this year, and your performance was less than satisfactory''.

Mr. Moore and Mr. Faichney have claimed management failed to provide a single valid reason for not renewing their work permits.

And they fear management may try to fatten their files with a letter of complaint today -- because they had gone to the Press.

"They have nothing to show consistent problems at work. They are using that as a ploy to get rid of us,'' said Mr. Faichney, who comes from Scotland.

The controversy was discussed at a meeting on Monday between the Bermuda Industrial Union and Sonesta Beach management, including Mr. Violi and vice-president Dennis Tucker.

BIU general secretary Molly Burgess asked to see files on the waiters.

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

Yesterday Mr. Violi, formerly Trump International Hotel and Tower general manager, said non-renewal of permits was not mentioned in the collective bargaining agreement.

And, therefore, would not be subject to any grievance procedures.

He said he had sought legal advice and the hotel was not re quired to hand over files to the BIU.

But he pointed out employees were entitled to see their files in the Human Resources Department.

Mr. Violi said management did not accept the five had been fired or terminated.

"Their permits or contracts of employment are being terminated.'' Mr. Violi, an American who came to Bermuda a few months ago, said he was committed to attracting Bermudians to Sonesta.

Currently there were 80 to 85 people with work permits at Sonesta out of a 400-odd workforce.

"We are committed to creating an environment where people want to come to work to make a career. We are going to work to overcome these problems,'' he said.