A fierce battle is looming after some bosses refused to pay staff who stayed away from work during Hurricane Felix.

BIU chief Ottiwell Simmons argued workers were obeying a "stay at home'' plea from the Emergency Measures Organisation.

And he called on employers to fall in line with Government which had decided to pay its employees who stayed away.

"Any worker who is not paid should report his plight to the Bermuda Industrial Union for the appropriate action,'' he said.

Mr. Simmons' comments were targeted mainly at the hotel industry -- badly hit by the effects of Felix.

They come just days after it emerged King Edward VII Memorial Hospital was embroiled in a similar furore over pay.

General secretary of the Bermuda Public Services Association Mr. Eugene Blakeney later told The Royal Gazette he was in negotiation with hospital officials after workers who failed to show for work were given three options -- a day's leave, taking it as part of their vacation or working overtime to make up the pay.

Yesterday, Bermuda Hotel Association executive vice-president Mr. John Harvey admitted bosses had been instructed not to pay employees who failed to work.

But this instruction would be reviewed following protests by the BIU, he said.

He added hotel employers would meet union officials to discuss their complaints.

Meanwhile, the Bermuda Employers' Council, which represents more than 320 companies, has also stepped into the controversy.

It took a swipe yesterday at the EMO over its "stay at home'' plea last Tuesday morning.

In a letter to BEC members, the council's executive director Mr. Malcolm Dixon stated: "It was unfortunate that employees thought the directive was an official Government statement instead of an advisory by the EMO.

"A communication link between the EMO, BEC, employers, and employees will need to be established prior to another hurricane so that everyone is aware of what is expected of them, particularly as the hurricane moves away and winds subside to those of a tropical storm or tropical depression level.'' Mr. Dixon has also written to EMO chairman Mr. Peter Willis, saying its hurricane directive had created confusion -- particularly over payment for staying away from work. "Businesses or organisations that supply essential services, and those that supply essential goods were particularly concerned at the directive, as they had already arranged hurricane contingency plans with their employees.'' Hurricane Felix brushed past the Island last Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Although it caused an estimated $2.5 million damage, Bermuda escaped the worst of the hurricane.

Mr. Simmons, BIU president, said the pay controversy was discussed at a meeting this week with shop stewards and the union's General Council. "Many shop stewards from the hotels and other unionised enterprises complained that their employers were threatening not to pay them for the days that the order to remain home was in effect,'' he said.

"The meeting, therefore, decided that a statement must be issued stating that as Government has decided to pay its employees then all employers have an obligation to pay employees for the two days.'' Mr. Harvey said many hotel employees had stayed away last Tuesday, even though the weather was not as bad as had been feared.

"It had a very negative impact on our ability to service visitors.'' Mr. Harvey added the weather was "blowy'' last Tuesday, but not "uncomfortable''.

"I found it very ironical on the day of the hurricane The Royal Gazette published a lovely picture of Mr. Simmons at his place of employment and showing a responsible example by working. I also worked non-stop, monitoring the situation, and didn't go to sleep.'' Mr. Harvey, however, said he agreed to a meeting with a BIU following protests that management had told employees not to attend work.

"We were also told some employees were single parents and that nurseries were closed, and buses were not running.''