contract between their workers and the BIU.

Bermuda Hotel Association executive director Mr. John Harvey made the claim on Friday.

"We have exhausted our energies,'' he said.

It is now almost 12 months since American Professor Ronald Haughton delivered his award for hotels and the BIU.

The planned contract -- handed down after a hearing between both sides -- was to have started from 1991, and expired in February, 1995.

But moves to get the Bermuda Industrial Union to sign have failed.

The union claims Professor Haughton and his Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board blundered on a key issue -- he did not force hotels to compensate workers for tips they failed to get in 1992.

For its part, the 13 small hotels in the Hotel Employers of Bermuda (HEB) have also objected to signing.

They argue labour laws would bind them forever to the union if they put their signatures to the award.

And they have called for Government to change the Labour Relations Act.

Government recently had a meeting with hoteliers in a bid to break the deadlock.

It was held at the Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman's offices.

Three or four hotel chiefs attended -- including Mr. Harvey.

Mr. Harvey said he believed the meeting had been spurred by the union.

"I think it's fair to say the Labour Ministry has received requests from the union.'' Mr. Harvey, however, voiced little optimism about an imminent breakthrough.

He pointed out hoteliers had gone ahead and introduced the terms of Prof.

Haughton's award -- even though it had not been signed.

And with the award within a year of expiring, the industry would have to look ahead.

"We need to get our energies working together harmoniously and constructively.'' Mr. Pearman said the recent get-together had been part of a series of meetings with the sides in the dispute.

"Government is acting as an intermediary, trying to get the parties to come to an understanding.'' The Labour Advisory Council had also tried to help resolve the dispute, he added.

"So far we have been unsuccessful,'' admitted Mr. Pearman.

He stressed it would soon be necessary to start negotiations on a post-Haughton contract.