summit on Bermuda's labour problems as a "waste of time''.

Mr. W.A. (Toppy) Cowen also launched a stinging attack on Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman.

He said the three-day private summit was a Government bid to calm the Bermuda Industrial Union after its strike threat over the Elbow Beach Hotel row.

"The Minister is appeasing the union,'' accused Mr. Cowen.

But last night Mr. Pearman voiced dismay at Mr. Cowen's reaction, stressing the importance of improving labour relations.

"Relations are not well. Either we decide we are going to do something about it and make changes, or the whole Country will disintegrate,'' he said.

Mr. Cowen, however, accused Mr. Pearman of tilting towards the BIU.

He said hotel bosses were "sick and tired'' of being told by Government how to run their business.

"Our backs are against the wall now, and we intend to run hotels the way they should be,'' he said.

The April 5-7 meeting will involve top leaders from management, the BIU, and Government.

They will meet at the Princess Hotel to try to solve their difficulties.

Labour relations experts from Michigan State University will be there to supervise the meeting -- entitled the National Retreat on the Structure of Labour in Bermuda.

Pink Beach has been hit by labour problems following its decision to pull out of the BIU.

Last week the hotel successfully blocked moves to send the row to the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board.

A Supreme Court hearing will be held over the hotel's claim the reference to the board was improper.

Yesterday Mr. Cowen said he did not believe the conference would resolve anything.

"It would rather be like going to church. You go there and feel good about yourself, but come out and do nothing.'' Mr. Cowen said Government had launched a similar attempt to resolve industrial problems two years ago, but it achieved nothing.

Mr. Pearman replied: "I think it's unfortunate he feels this way. The aim is to help people who have an immediate role in labour relations and can benefit by taking every opportunity to enhance matters.'' He added planning for the conference had been started "months and months ago'' -- and was not a reaction to the BIU's strike threat.

"I can assure you we have been working on this since last year,'' he said.