of hanging up a "closed for industrial action'' sign on Bermuda's hotels by threatening a hotel strike over the Grotto Bay dispute.

But BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons MP said the union would only strike as a last resort, adding that its patience with "a reactionary Government and a bunch of recalcitrant owners'' was nearly spent.

The latest flare-up comes with hotel workers set to meet today for a general meeting on the Hotel Employers of Bermuda-BIU contract talks, which are due to resume on Monday.

Sir John said: "This totally irresponsible call by Mr. Simmons is yet another manifestation of the union's capacity for shooting Bermuda in its collective foot.'' He said the tourist season was just beginning to show signs of recovery but "rather than putting out the welcome mat to our visitors, the BIU wants to hang up a `closed for industrial action' sign on Bermuda's hotels''.

"I cannot believe that the rank and file members of the union, who have had to endure short work weeks and lay-offs, will be willing to support this irresponsible and unwarranted action,'' he said.

"The losers will be everyone in Bermuda -- the hotel workers themselves, through lost wages, and our visitors who are certain to bypass our hotels for those in other countries where unions take a more responsible attitude.'' He said Mr. Simmons knew he could use the courts to enforce the Grotto Bay ruling.

"He has the option of referring the matter to court but has shown a singular distaste for using the courts to enforce his rights, relying instead on bullying and blackmailing the entire community. This time, he is likely to find himself deserted, both by his union members and even by the most loyal of his erstwhile supporters.

"Bermuda does not need the added distraction of industrial action on the eve of the start of the cruise ship season,'' he said. "Bermuda does not need this kind of threatened disruption as potential visitors eye Bermuda.

"It is to be hoped therefore that reason will strike the BIU like a bolt of lightning and that Bermuda can be spared another unnecessary round of industrial action.

"I call on Mr. Simmons to stop posturing, to stop issuing strike threats and, above all, to stop putting the stability and prosperity of Bermuda and its people at risk.'' Mr. Simmons said the union had spent all its patience trying to be rational and reasonable.

"Our reward for that attitude has been nothing short of social punishment,'' he said, referring to increased redundancies, lay-offs, short work weeks and pay cuts in all industries.

"We still have 15 truckers who are still awaiting their jobs. I want the public to know that Government is duty-bound to ensure the citizens of the Country have work and to ensure the law is made for everyone and Government's supporters cannot be any less law abiding than those of different political persuasions.'' He accused construction company owners of not bargaining in good faith. Talks are scheduled for today.

But he said he would not advise anyone to accept the owner's demand for a wage freeze in the first year of the new contract.

"I hope the company understands the union has no intention of conducting a strike for no cause,'' he said. "If the union takes strike action, it is not because the BIU wants to, it is because of Toby Kempe, George Robinson and a Government which has forced the BIU to take a last resort.'' Mr. Simmons refused to comment when asked what effect using industrial action in hotels which were members of the Hotel Employers of Bermuda would have on the Grotto Bay, which has left the organisation.

Grotto Bay managing director Mr. George Robinson said yesterday he had not seen Mr. Simmons' letter to Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman which threatened industrial action.

"The newspaper states correctly that the hotel refused to take part in the hearing and therefore the ruling is of no interest to us,'' he said.

"To the extent the union feels it is in a very strong position, I have no difficulty in defending any action in the Supreme Court because I am confident we would prevail.'' He said complaints that management was not cooperating with union officials and shops stewards was irrelevant because the hotel did not recognise the BIU as the representatives of the workers at Grotto Bay.

"The threat to the industry is not uncommon,'' he said. "When the union is frustrated in achieving their own agenda, they tend to threaten whoever they can threaten.

"But I do not believe a union official is going to wish his members' greater hardship than they are experiencing now.

"On that point, we have just finished the figures for March and again we believe our employers are doing better under the new system than they did before.

"We have every right under the law to operate this business in the manner we feel is appropriate and we are doing so.'' Independent MP Mr. Harry Viera said any industrial action should be confined to Grotto Bay and not extended to other hotels.

"Mr. Simmons is constantly talking peace, but declaring war. Another man, Adolf Hitler, used to do that, saying he wanted peace while preparing for war.

Mr. Simmons has declared war on the economy,'' he said.