sides.

Members of the Senate also hammered hoteliers' decision not to sign a new contract for their employees.

Senate Opposition Leader Sen. Alex Scott accused the newspaper of misleading the public and blasted VSB radio news for copying the "erroneous and mischievous'' headline in their morning newscast.

The headline in question was "BIU and HEB on Collision Course''. It appeared in yesterday's newspaper.

"If you read the story, no such thing is true,'' Sen. Scott said during the motion to adjourn. "There is no threat about a collision.

"The headline was erroneous, mischievous and a lie.'' It was also "injurious to the good health of Bermuda'', he said. The headline topped a story about the Hotel Employers of Bermuda union's refusal to sign their new workers' contract. BIU leader Mr. Ottiwell Simmons was quoted as saying he hoped hoteliers would "rethink'' their position. But the HEB was said to be "adamant'' it was not going to change its position and was looking to Government to change the legislation making the new agreement binding for life.

Sen. Scott said there "may be'' some question of a collision between Government and the HEB, but certainly not the BIU and the HEB.

And he said VSB radio was equally wrong for reading the headline over the airwaves.

He added the station's reporters "basically just read the headlines from The Royal Gazette in the mornings''.

Government spokesman for Labour and Home Affairs Sen. Maxwell Burgess concurred, saying he did not think the headline reflected the true state of affairs regarding the Haughton contract award.

He also chided VSB for "headlining an incorrect headline''.

Sen. Burgess said he was "appalled and upset'' that hoteliers had decided not to sign the contract.

He pointed out the intent of the Labour Relations Amendment Act was to provide stability in an industry that was one of the Island's "major lifelines''.

"I want to join Mr. Simmons in asking hotels to sign the contract,'' he said.

"The road to economic recovery will be a lot smoother.'' Sen. Joe Johnson (Ind) said: "Like most other Bermudians I was very disturbed by the headline. I am concerned for our future welfare.'' He said he was confused over the motive for the headline.

Sen. Johnson added, "I am saddened and angered to some degree, that after the lengthy process (to reach an agreement on a new hotel workers' contract) we now find ourselves in a position where one of the parties has decided not to sign it.'' He appealed to hoteliers to some forward and sign the agreement.

"It is very important that we get this document signed so we can get on with improving the lot of all workers on this Island,'' he said.