For Bermuda's hotels to survive, workers must be willing and able to do more than one job, says a top industry executive.

And other hotel bosses have voiced support for the view of Bermuda Hotel Association president Mr. David Dodwell.

But one said "cross-utilisation'' has long been opposed by the Bermuda Industrial Union.

"Cross-utilisation is a necessity,'' Mr. Dodwell told The Royal Gazette .

"Before, hotels could afford to have workers on separate jobs.

"But cross-utilisation is happening in other parts of the world, so for us it's not a desire, but a necessity.

"We compete with the world, not just the Caribbean. We can no longer put our rates up to offset price increases. We have to be leaner, more efficient, more flexible, and people have to be more efficient.'' Mr. W.A. (Toppy) Cowen, outspoken managing director of the 81-unit Pink Beach Club, said he agrees with Mr. Dodwell's comments. While it has been common for workers at smaller properties to perform more than one task, it will be increasingly necessary at large hotels that wish to compete, he said.

"We have a lot of people who double up and do various things,'' and did even before the hotel split from the BIU, Mr. Cowen said. "We did have, back a number of years ago, resistance by the union.

"They said: `That's fine, as long as you pay them for the two jobs'.'' Mr.

Derrick Burgess, first vice-president of the BIU, said cross-utilisation is "an accepted thing in the smaller properties'' where there might not be enough work to keep a bellman or houseman busy on a single task all day.

The union's position is that if workers perform two tasks, they should be paid at the higher of the two rates, he said. Bellmen, for example, who receive tips, are normally paid a lower wage than housemen, who do not receive tips, he said.

As for cross-utilisation at larger hotels, "if it's necessary then the proper thing to do would be to sit down with the union and talk about it'', Mr.

Burgess said.

Mr. John Jefferis, managing director of Elbow Beach Hotel, would not comment on whether cross-utilisation was part of the hotel's plans in its recent attempt to split from the BIU.

But the employee guide issued with the new deal management gave workers when it terminated the collective agreement reads in part: "The training you receive here will not only enhance the level of service our guests receive, but it will also enhance your marketable skills.

"The better you perform your job and the more jobs you can perform, the more demand there will be for your services.'' Mr. David Boyd, managing director of Sonesta Beach Hotel, said he also agrees with Mr. Dodwell. "It's most critical in a smaller property, but there are currently areas here where from time to time we do use cross-utilisation.'' The 403-room hotel wants to keep its staff size at its current level "so the gratuity pie we have to split is more meaningful'', and increased cross-utilisation could provide more flexibility, he said. PHOTO BHA CHIEF -- Mr. David Dodwell.