labour relations comes up for debate in the House of Assembly.

The new law calls for mandatory trade union recognition in the workplace -- but a clause allowing workers to vote to kick a union off the job is likely to generate a lot of heat.

The proposed law -- The Trade Union Amendment Act -- also excludes management from the new deal, also likely to spark off a no-holds-barred debate.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said last night: "I think there is going to be disagreement over this....but this bill is for the workers who wish to be represented by a union.'' But Mr. Edness put bosses on notice that -- unless they gave their middle management a fair deal -- that could change.

He said: "We hope to send a message to all employers that management has to be treated fairly -- if they're not, we will have to look at including them in a piece of legislation as well.'' But he added the same union recognising management and workers could create a conflict of interest.

And he said: "Government has worked very hard on this -- we don't have total agreement on everything, but we are in agreement on the principles.'' Also coming before the House of Assembly is a bill to set up a Millenium Fund -- to make sure Bermuda sees in the new century with a bang.

Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert will present draft regulations to allow lights tolls and port dues to be waived for warships, while a bill to exempt sail training ships from light tolls will get a second reading.

Mr. Furbert will also table a report on the state of transport in Bermuda, covering safety and future transportation needs.

The report will also report on the need for an integrated Transport Authority to oversee ferries, buses and the Island's transport system in general.

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