And members of the Bermuda Industrial Union's hotel division will meet at 3 p.m. today to hear details of the proposed new four-year contract.

The talks come amid reports Prof. Haughton's ruling virtually mirrors the 1991 William Hobgood settlement -- rejected by the union.

The ruling is to be released late today or tomorrow.

One reliable source said yesterday: "Ninety percent of Hobgood's awards have been put forward.'' The Royal Gazette understands these include increases in pension contributions by employers and unionised staff of two cents per hour from 15 and 30 cents respectively.

Sources have also claimed the recommended salary rises for 1991 and 1992 are five and two percent respectively.

And the respective awards for 1993 and 1994 are three and four percent.

This compares with Mr. Hobgood's five percent wage increase in the first year of a three-year settlement, starting in 1991.

He also recommended five percent in the second, and six percent in the third.

One hotelier yesterday suggested BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons would have some explaining to do over his 1991 rejection of the Hobgood deal.

"It seems he should have cut and run, and taken the money from Hobgood. The union now stands to get less.'' Mr. Simmons is off the Island and could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The Hotel Employers of Bermuda has declined to comment until Prof. Haughton's ruling is officially made public, either today or tomorrow.

The HEB and the BIU have been in dispute since their last collective bargaining agreement expired in February 1991.

Management have fought for a wages and benefits freeze from January 1992 until February 24, 1993.

They offered three percent wage rises for 1993 and 1994.

The HEB considered the issue of 1991 wages closed after implementing most of the Hobgood awards, including a five percent hike for live-out staff.

The BIU argued for a new three-year settlement, with percentage wage rises of seven, six, and seven for 1991, 1992, and 1993.

The union rejected the Hobgood deal, alleging the arbitrator had been unfairly put under pressure by Government.