over a wage settlement for employees at the recycling plant.

But Government mediators will next week step in to try to thrash out a solution before the ban comes into effect on July 24.

A letter to the Labour Ministry giving 21 days notice of the ban says the move is a result of the failure of Government's negotiating team to "bargain in good faith''.

The overtime ban will hit the bus service, postal service, Works and Engineering employees, custodians, Marine, Agriculture and Fisheries workers and hospital workers.

The letter to the Labour Ministry accuses Government's negotiating team of threatening to privatise the Tynes Bay plant on North Shore Road unless workers accepted the Government's latest offer.

This is revealed in the latest issue of the Bermuda Industrial Union newspaper, the Workers' Voice.

BIU chief Derrick Burgess was yesterday off the Island and unavailable for comment.

But Government mediator Thad Hollis confirmed he would be stepping into the middle of the row next week. He was unable to comment on the size of the pay deal offered.

He added: "I am going to mediate and try to resolve whatever the problem is before the overtime ban comes into effect.'' The letter, addressed to Mr. Hollis as Government labour relations officer, said: "It is our contention that management's threat results in an unfair labour practice. Therefore we have no other recourse than to impose the overtime ban.''