A ruling on the hotel industry's marathon contract wrangle is expected early in January.

The crucial decision will set the tone for labour relations in the New Year.

Prof. Ronald Haughton and his Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board have been poring over 4,000 pages of evidence.

Management have argued for a complete wages and benefits freeze from January, 1992 to February 24, 1993.

Three percent wage rises were proposed respectively for the next two years.

The Hotel Employers of Bermuda consider the issue of 1991 wages closed after imposing a pay hike for that year.

For its part, the Bermuda Industrial Union has asked for percentage pay rises of seven, six and seven for 1991, 1992, and 1993.

The BIU is also fighting for a host of other benefit improvements.

But management have resisted their demands, painting a grim economic picture of their industry.

The two sides have been at loggerheads since their last collective bargaining agreement expired in February, 1991.

At the board hearing, which ended earlier this month, BIU president Mr.

Ottiwell Simmons represented the union; lawyer Mr. Stephen Shawe, the HEB.

Prof. Haughton and the other board members spent 35 days this year listening to bitter argument.

Controversially, the board's decision cannot be legally enforced.

Grotto Bay Hotel management refused to heed the board's recommendations following the bitter dispute over its refusal to recognise the BIU.

Government has since rushed through legislation to set up a special tribunal to iron out this flaw.

Yesterday HEB president Mr. Dennis Tucker said he was hopeful the board's decision would be handed down early in the New Year.

He declined to speculate, however, how his side would react if Prof. Haughton sided with the union.

Mr. Simmons said he expected the ruling in about two weeks.

"We are just waiting. As far as I'm concerned the whole matter is sub judice at this moment, and I can't comment.'' Prof. Haughton yesterday could not be reached for comment.