Industrial Union was undemocratic.

The allegations were made by American labour expert Dr. Leo Troy in a right-wing journal.

But Mr. Simmons, BIU president, lashed back: "I have no regard for Dr. Troy's findings.'' "Our union is one of the most democratic organisations in Bermuda. Others have told me that.

"I can assure you our affairs are conducted in a democratic way, which is of the highest order.'' Mr. Simmons said Dr. Troy's criticism demonstrated utter ignorance about the BIU.

And he also parried Dr. Troy's calls for Government to pass a "Bill of Rights'' to protect union members from dictatorial leaders.

"He has really got to spell out what he means. I don't know what he has in mind,'' said Mr. Simmons.

Dr. Troy, a professor of economics at Rutgers University, attacks the BIU in an article, The Bermuda Quagmire, sub-titled A Public Utility System of Labour Relations.

The 36-page article in The Government Union Review criticises Bermuda's reliance on arbitration to solve industrial relations problems.

Dr. Troy, focussing on the hotel industry, says management and unions should work together through collective bargaining.

Although generally anti-legislation in labour relations, the professor recommends a "Bill of Rights'' for union members.

He said his proposed bill would allow members to have secret ballots, nominate and elect officers, and see their union's finances.

"As a movement made up of working people who participate in an open society, the union movement in Bermuda, as elsewhere, must itself be open and democratic,'' he writes.

Dr. Troy claims BIU procedures were undemocratic with few members taking part in decisions.

Mr. Simmons, however, described Dr. Troy's research for his article as "negligible'' -- or even non-existent.

He disputed the professor's competence to write on Bermuda's industrial scene, saying he was not aware of any surveys carried out by him.