Odell Zuill has two proud claims about her work record.

In 22 years at Hamilton Val Cleaners, she was never late and rarely phoned in sick.

"In fact, I only stayed away once in the last five years -- and that was because of the 'flu,'' she told The Royal Gazette .

This week she found it hard to equate such loyalty with losing her job.

And she also faced another challenge: breaking the 7 a.m.-5 p.m. habit.

Ms Zuill was the longest-serving of 35 employees at Hamilton Val Cleaners and Paget Dry Cleaners to lose their jobs in the wake of the industrial unrest.

Like the others, Ms Zuill said she learned the news on the radio.

"I had no forewarning this was going to happen. Suddenly after 22 years I had no job, just like that.

"It's going to be hard but I have a good husband and the rest of my family are behind me. They're a big support.'' Ms Zuill said Stephen Thomson, owner of the two dry-cleaning businesses, held a staff meeting to confirm the worst.

The words he used were "you have been laid off -- permanently'', she claimed.

"Some people were angry and frustrated. I feel I was tricked out of my redundancy.'' Ms Zuill said she was an assistant manageress at Val Cleaners before becoming production supervisor.

As she spoke, Ms Zuill frequently smiled and laughed with colleagues. She appeared determined not to let the shock crush her spirit. "I'm going to survive. I have no fears. After all, you can't take riches with you when you pass on.'' Other laid-off workers told The Royal Gazette they had been put under pressure to sign away their union rights when Mr. Thomson took over the two businesses.

"I am extremely angry about what happened,'' said Carol McGowan, who put in ten years service.

She added Mr. Thomson had called her into his office near the end of the working day to drop the bombshell.

"He told me I was laid off permanently.'' Another man, a delivery driver for 15 years, told how he heard the news on television.

"I feel very angry. I'm now looking for a new job, there's nothing else for me to do.

"I've got car payments and other expenses. It's going to be hard, but I suppose I will have to go out and get a hussle.'' BUSINESS BUC