Island will cause severe hardship to its members.

They already fear an estimated 125 BIU members may have been told to accept a loss of benefits or be fired.

It could also mean the employees at the United States Naval Air Station in St.

George's and the US Naval Annex in Southampton would not receive severence pay if they are laid off.

Union organiser Mr. Robert Johnston said a meeting tonight at the BIU Headquarters will give the union some idea of the worries faced by its members.

But Mr. Johnston said letters sent recently to employees working at the Base constitute a major cause for concern.

He said: "We have copies of the letter which indicates that the Base is trying to change the status of employment.

"People on the standard 40 hours per week, with benefits, are being changed to an intermittent category. This means casual work with no benefits.

"If their job was terminated, as the Bases have a personnel drawdown, they would not be eligible for severence pay.'' Mr. Johnston said that the letter gave employees seven days to agree to go casual or be dismissed.

He said: "Some people have already signed the letter and they are still working a 40-hour week. It makes all this a farce. Although I am sure the Base will deny that this is to do with them winding down the operations.

"Whatever other problems they tell us about tonight, this is something that can be a cause for great concern.'' Mr. Johnston said the BIU believes that around 125 members were working at the bases two years ago, but they are not sure of the figure at present, although it is likely to be lower.

He said: "The meeting concerns the US Bases and what our members have heard about plans for the US Navy to pull out of the Island.'' USNAS public relations officer, Ens. Marie McGahan said that there would be no comment until after tonight's meeting.