had been unjustifiably fired by management.

Last night leading protester Ms Debbie Fox said up to 45 employees had been dismissed for demanding union representation.

And the hotel's former Bermuda Industrial Union shop steward said bosses had given workers until noon today to reapply for their jobs.

"But we don't intend to do so,'' declared Ms Fox.

Management, however, have claimed workers who walked off the job yesterday dismissed themselves.

And they said employees had until noon today "to return to work by re-applying for their jobs''.

Last night Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman said Government was ready to help -- if asked by either side.

He said he met with BIU representatives and the disgruntled employees and Government labour relations officer Mr. Edwin Wilson also met with the workers.

Hotel employees dropped what they were doing at about 9.30 a.m. About 60 gathered in the hotel carpark, where there was a brief shouting match with management.

No pickets were set up, and guests reported little disruption. Ms Fox, the hotel's activities hostess, told acting manager Mr. Clyde Darrell the workers were fed up.

"We're asking you to give us back something that belongs to us,'' she shouted at Mr. Darrell in the carpark. "We want union representation -- that's it.'' At that, Mr. Darrell threw up his hands in apparent frustration and returned to the hotel. "I tried. I'm sorry, I tried. I really did,'' he said to the workers.

Workers said they decided to act while the hotel was full. "We've been saying that we want union representation all season,'' Ms Fox said. "Now, we're demanding it.

"We want our old system back.'' Later Ms Fox said workers were also seeking the resignation of two managers -- including the financial controller Mr. Earl Michelin.

She accused Mr. Michelin of being behind yesterday's dismissals.

Ms Fox also said the other manager should be dismissed for alleged racial slurs.

Workers said about 90 percent of 120 Grotto Bay workers took part in yesterday's action. Mr. Darrell said the percentage was lower.

Mr. Darrell said he met briefly with the BIU yesterday. Asked if the hotel would negotiate with the union if workers returned, he said: "At this stage, we're not a union property.'' Guests at the hotel yesterday said they noticed little or no disruption. "I see everybody pitching in to help out,'' Mrs. Monica Farrell of Long Island, New York said.

In February, Government's Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board upheld Grotto Bay management's right to raise workers' base pay and end mandatory tipping in January, 1991.

When management made the move, there was no collective agreement in place for it to break, the board ruled.

Since then, there has been a move among workers to get the BIU back. As a result, weekly pay for diningroom help has dropped to $300 from between $700 and $800 under the old system.

Without the gratuities, "you're doing extra work for nothing'', one worker said.

Workers said about 90 percent of the hotel staff participated in the work stoppage.

In the Senate last night Government was blamed for the industrial action and showing a "cavalier attitude'' towards the allegations of racism.

Opposition Senate leader Sen. Alex Scott said he had brought the allegations to Government's attention months ago.

"The evidence now suggests no investigation of any consequence was conducted.'' But Government Senators said a full inquiry had taken place.

HOTEL SHOWDOWN -- Grotto Bay Hotel workers Ms Debbie Fox and Mr. Unray Waldron confront acting manager Mr. Clyde Darrell, foreground, after they and others stopped working yesterday morning.