take their case to the Labour Ministry later this week.

Miss Amanda Gordon, former manager at the Hamilton night spot, yesterday told The Royal Gazette she had spent most of the day pounding the pavement, looking for work.

But she said she and other former Oscar employees have had no luck so far.

And she said they have not yet heard from Oscars owners Mr. Cesare Maranzana and his wife, Sandra, since they learned of the bar's closure last week.

"Staff were not told anything on the last day,'' said Miss Gordon who learned about the closure from a bartender three days before it happened.

It is rumoured that the bar will re-open within a month after "restructuring of staff'', she said.

Miss Gordon said she believes the bar's closure was an attempt to get rid of its Bermudian staff who were seeking union recognition.

She said staff met with the Bermuda Industrial Union yesterday and a further meeting is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the Labour Ministry.

Miss Gordon said she was not sure whom they would be meeting with or what could be done about the former bar employees' situation.

Last week, Mrs. Maranzana strongly denied her husband was trying to get rid of Bermudian workers. She said the bar was closing due to a loss of business.

And she stressed that there were only four Bermudians on the payroll.

But Miss Gordon said: "It is six of us.'' "There are three bartenders -- Ms Lorraine Adderley, Ms Joel Signor, and Michael Madeiros, two security guards Mr. Ronald Trott and Mr. Robert Pacheco, and myself,'' she said.

Asked about this and the rumour that the bar may re-open within a month, Mrs.

Maranzana yesterday said she refused to be dragged into a public debate with Miss Gordon.

"I have no comment,'' she said.

The Halfway House Restaurant re-opened yesterday under new management.

And new manager Mr. Erroll Burgess said all staff who wanted to return are back.

The restaurant, which was formerly managed by Ms Karen Terceira, closed on May 16. Then Ms Terceira said all staff were expected to stay on.

Mr. Burgess said very few changes have been made so far. The restaurant remains open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the menu remains the same for now.