stand-off.

Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman last night said Ministry officers had met with hotel management over its move to break all ties with the union.

"At the moment the Ministry is acting as a mediator,'' he said. "We've met with the management of Elbow Beach after receiving a communication from union leader Mr. Ottiwell Simmons.

"Elbow Beach have taken the union points raised by the mediators and will respond.'' Yesterday's meeting was set up after Mr. Simmons wrote to the Minister urging he take action to avoid "unnecessary confrontation''.

Elbow this week offered its workers a new contract without recognition of the union.

The move includes termination of union check-offs, the system whereby union dues are automatically deducted from wages and sent to the union.

Mr. Simmons' letter to Mr. Pearman said Elbow workers were urged to remain calm during the dispute.

"Our members have been advised not to get upset by stopping work or encouraging others to stop work,'' he said.

"They have been asked to give union headquarters a chance to discuss these matters with your office and with management, if possible.'' Mr. Simmons described the situation as a dispute and asked the Ministry to talk with Elbow management.

"It is important that you note that our members have asked us to convey to you that they insist upon working under the standard collective bargaining agreement for the hotel industry,'' he said.

"They insist that Elbow sign the collective bargaining agreement. And finally, they are unanimous that they will not be working under unilateral arrangements drawn up by Elbow Beach management.'' Mr. Simmons said he wanted the situation resolved in a peaceful, calm and non-confrontational way.

"We ask that you treat this issue as urgent.'' In a letter to Elbow Beach, Mr. Simmons advised management that the BIU had sole collective bargaining rights with the hotel and that an agreement was in effect between the union and the hotel.

"We strongly suggest that you continue the collective bargaining agreement with the BIU...'' he said.

The union leader urged the hotel not to break the law "or any moral agreement currently existing'' between the hotel and the BIU.

"Such a move only invites unnecessary confrontation.''