have voted to take the wraps off the fledgling Trade Union Congress.

Yesterday's unanimous vote to go ahead without the BIU came after they had written to the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) to complain about General Secretary George De Peana who flew in from Barbados last week in a bid to bring the sides together.

The TUC has been in limbo since it was set up April in the hope that the BIU would agree to join. However the other unions are still in the dark about what the BIU are objecting about.

Now The Royal Gazette has learnt that BIU general secretary Molly Burgess has written to the CCL complaining Mr. De Peana had insulted them in a TV interview after last Monday's failed talks.

One source who was at yesterday's meeting said: "The meeting was unanimous to go ahead. We couldn't wait forever. This has been in the pipeline for years.'' He denied the unions had been put off the BIU by their militant stance in the Precision dispute.

Those voting to go ahead with the TUC included the Bermuda Public Services Association, the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Bermuda Managers Association, The Association of School Principals and the Electrical Supply Trade Union.

The source said: "It wasn't as if the BIU were saying `We're not joining unless this or that happens.' Then we could have negotiated. They weren't saying anything.'' The insider hinted the BIU's beef could simply be that they stand to lose a monopoly on trips to international conference such as the annual jaunt to the International Labour Organisation in Geneva as well as CCL meetings.

"The Government will take the TUC not the BIU when the attend the ILO meeting along with the Employer's Council,'' the source said.

The TUC is planning to meet again over the next two weeks to elect its leadership and apply for recognition from the CCL and the ILO.

Temporary head Michael Charles, of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, denied the door was closed on future BIU involvement in the TUC.

He said: "We want the BIU and the other unions to come together -- we live in hope.'' The Royal Gazette could not reach BIU officials for comment yesterday. The CCL head George De Peana was unavailable for comment.