A historic bid to restore peace to Bermuda's strife-torn industrial scene kicks off next week.

It will involve top people from management, the Bermuda Industrial Union, and Government.

They will come together for three days behind closed doors at the Hamilton Princess Hotel to air problems and try to heal rifts.

Labour relation experts from here and Michigan State University will be present to supervise the meeting.

The public will not be allowed in, and the media only able to cover opening and closing ceremonies.

Last night Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman hailed the importance of the seminar as problems ravage the hotel industry.

"It is vital for the Country and the economy to try settle industrial problems,'' he said.

He added: "There hasn't ever been anything quite like this before.'' And BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons, MP, who will be attending, was equally enthusiastic.

"I think it's probably very timely in order to examine the laws that govern industrial relations in Bermuda,'' he said.

The National Retreat on the Structure of Labour in Bermuda -- as it is being labelled -- runs from April 5-7, between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.

Among those attending will be the Police, Fire Service Association, the prison service, hotels, the Bermuda Public Service Association, and Bermuda Employers Council.

The meeting will focus on how conflicts can be resolved, and how common interests can be followed.

Labour law in Bermuda will be scrutinised, along with conducting effective labour-management relations.

A Government Information Services spokesman said: "The retreat is designed to aid all three parties in exploring what would be involved in improving their capacity to resolve conflicts and pursuing common interests.'' The seminar's goals will include: Boost understanding of international trends in industrial relations.

Pinpoint weaknesses and strengths of Bermuda's industrial scene and labour laws.

Work out the threats and opportunities facing the labour scene.

Mr. Pearman said Government labour relations officer Mr. Edwin Wilson would be among experts supervising the retreat.

The three parties -- management, Government, and union chiefs -- would meet in separate groups to discuss problems and solutions.

"They will also meet together to see if some common approach can be reached.

There will be a lot of cross-fertilisation,'' explained Mr. Pearman, who will perform the opening and closing ceremonies.

Mr. Pearman said the seminar had been underwritten by the Immigration Board.

He added it would not replace a proposed private Government-inspired meeting to tackle problems on the hotel front.

"But it could provide some interesting ideas,'' he commented.

Last night Mr. Malcolm Dixon, executive director of the Bermuda Employers Council, said: "I think the retreat is extremely important, because what it boils down to is getting the three parties together.''