welfare of Bermuda's residents -- made a plea yesterday for the union to call off a planned strike at Elbow Beach Hotel.

Mr. Edness claimed the strike threat was already turning away potential visitors.

"He (Bermuda Industrial Union leader Mr. Ottiwell Simmons MP) is jeopardising every Bermudian's welfare -- and just as we're coming out of a historically deep recession,'' the Minister said.

Mr. Edness said news of the planned strike had probably reached a number of US travel agents who were now sending visitors elsewhere.

"This strike-muscle attitude of solving everything has got to go,'' he said.

"The union and management have got to learn to sit down and skilfully iron out their differences.'' Mr. Edness went as far as to call BIU leadership "crazy'' if it went ahead with the strike.

He warned Elbow's owners might be forced to close the hotel, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs.

Mr. Edness added he feared most for the Elbow workers planning to take part in the three-day strike, set for when the South Shore resort hits 70-percent occupancy.

"It is not the workers who are being mistreated,'' he said. "It is union management that has a problem with the hotel.

"If their leadership, particularly Mr. Ottiwell Simmons, doesn't realise he has already jeopardised the welfare of the workers of that hotel, and of the entire industry, then he shouldn't be the president of the BIU.

"And Elbow Beach itself has got to re-think its position. If it has done something that's wrong as far as its workers are concerned, such as not honouring previous commitment, then they too must realise they're jeopardising our lives as well.

"We must not have a strike take place at the start of the tourism season. It is foolish. And it is nonsense for the union leadership and the hotel's management to allow this to happen.

"The workers have families to feed. Taking action that could reduce the earning capacity of the hotel will not help.

"The two sides should accept the Minister's direction and withdraw the strike threat.'' The strike was called earlier this month when the BIU found out automatic deductions of union and credit union dues from staff pay cheques had been stopped.

Unable to talk Elbow management into reinstating the check-off system, Mr.

Simmons said workers had no choice but to strike.

He said they were also upset over Elbow's breaking ties with the BIU in February, even though the hotel had imposed a new contract that included profit sharing and a ten-percent wage hike.

Mr. Simmons produced a petition signed by a significant number of Elbow workers requesting continued union representation.

The petition was sent to Labour Minister the Hon. J. Irving Pearman, who referred the matter to the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board for resolution.

However, Mr. Pearman has admitted the move has not made the strike illegal.

Mr. Simmons warned on Tuesday the strike would go ahead, saying workers had reaffirmed the decision at a meeting last week.

And he indicated further action may be on the way.

The BIU would "look at ways to handle Grotto Bay Hotel'' at a Friday afternoon meeting of both Elbow and Grotto Bay workers, he disclosed.