meet Union sick leave demands are unsubstantiated, BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons argued yesterday.

Without a clear indication of figures, the number of employees or hotels involved, such statements are "not worth anything but to get to the newspaper and television,'' he said.

Mr. Simmons was responding to allegations by Hotel Employers of Bermuda president Mr. Dennis Tucker.

Mr. Tucker said on Monday that an HEB survey taken in June showed that the union proposal would bump up the figure from $3,360,016 to $5,482,296.

The hearing, into the contract dispute between hotel workers and management, has twice been adjourned since it began in May. The last collective agreement expired on February 24, 1991.

Mr. Steven Heydt, a resort industries expert, said the industry is in trouble with many vacationers staying home due to a global recession.

He said he has 25 years of experience in the business and testified before the board in 1988. Since then, he has opened his own firm, Active International, which serves as a consultant for vacation travel industries.

Bermuda, he said, is losing out to resorts which offering travel packages with more value for money, and to cruise ships, which offer all inclusive travel.

Mr. Heydt said that for a four-day, three-night stay, a visitor to Bermuda would have to pay $465 compared to $399 in Jamaica or the Bahamas in similar lodgings.

And he said where Bermuda is a difficult destination to sell during its off-season regardless of price, the Caribbean offers value and all inclusive packages even during its peak periods. Bermuda does not offer the same value, he said.

"I don't think we can say pay more. We have to offer more value and find ways to save on costs. In every situation there has to be give and take and most companies start with (room rates and wage) freezes. People are going to have to learn to live on less,'' he said.

Earlier yesterday, Mr. Simmons argued he was at a "tremendous disadvantage'' by not being able to cross-examine HEB witnesses at the completion of testimony because a second witness was produced to give direct evidence.

And he asked that notice be given to hotel management so he could ask his seven witnesses to be present at the hearing as ruled at the last hearing.

The Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board ruled in favour of both requests.

Mr. Tucker returned to the witness stand and said the union wanted increases in severance pay, sick pay and laundry allowances.

The hearing resumes at 10 a.m. today.