night that they will no longer have a job after this week.

Oscars bar, on Victoria Street, will close its doors on Saturday.

But the bar's manager, who did not wish to be named, told The Royal Gazette she only learned about the closure from a bartender last night.

And she said she believed the move was an attempt to get rid of the bar's six Bermudian staff members.

"I understand the owner (Mr. Cesare Maranzana) said we're losing money, but he's never had a meeting with staff to say so,'' she said.

"He got a contract to bring in an Italian so that he could fire three Bermudians -- a bartender, waiter, and assistant manager.

"But as soon as he found out that we were going to the (Bermuda Industrial) union, he said he would either blow up the building or sell it.'' She said a letter from the union saying staff wished to have union recognition was also ignored.

The manager, who noted that she had eight years of experience in the business and qualifications from the Bermuda College, said the Italian worked as a waiter at the Monte Carlo restaurant above the bar.

"Everybody is very depressed and angry,'' she said. "I contacted (BIU general secretary) Ms Molly Burgess and she is upset. She said she will bring it up with the Labour and Home Affairs Minister at a meeting in the morning and get back to us.'' One of the Bermudian workers will be off the Island until June 1 and return to find he has no job, she added.

Mr. Maranzana could not be reached for comment last night.