strike -- unless numerous industrial disputes are resolved forthwith.

At a staff meeting yesterday, nurses voted overwhelmingly to serve hospital management with a final ultimatum -- either sort out their grievances or they will take strike action.

The shock announcement comes following a gradual erosion of morale at the hospital in the last six months. Staff have complained of a lack of consultation with management on various restructuring initiatives.

Last night's meeting also saw staff give overwhelming backing to ten former colleagues who are demanding a redundancy pay-off after losing their posts at the hospital.

The ten were laid off at the beginning of December following the implementation of a new programme management scheme. Although they were offered alternative jobs at the hospital, they have insisted that, as their posts no longer exist, they should receive a redundancy settlement. The Bermuda Hospitals Board has repeatedly refused to give into their demand.

And yesterday The Royal Gazette revealed another cause for concern amongst staff when management announced a colour bar on uniforms. From April 1 nursing staff have been ordered to wear white uniforms only.

One nurse who was at the meeting later told The Royal Gazette : "Feelings are running very high and people are getting very worked up.

"It's not regarded as fair that management is not prepared to make redundancy payments to those nurses who lost their jobs following the shake-up. The offer isn't good enough.'' Last night Bermuda Public Services Association general secretary Ed Ball Jr, confirmed that more than 100 of his members had voted to strike.

Mr. Ball, who was in emergency talks with new Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman Raymonde Dill throughout the day, said: "There was a staff meeting today and a number of issues were looked at.

"Concerns included a lack of communication, the programme management system and staff cuts as well as the issue of uniforms.

"As far as I know the staff voted to give a 21 day strike notice.

"I do not know what the time frame is but the Minister of Labour would be the one to decide if the strike action is warranted.

"There are a number of issues that the staff have that they want to get resolved and want resolved immediately. They feel that things have gone on far too long and things are now very untenable.

"I have been meeting with the Bermuda Hospitals Board chairman for most of the day. He has said that he wants to improve communications and this will certainly grab his attention and give the matter some urgency.

"We do need to get on with settling these issues. This is a health care provider and certainly we want to assure the public that we have first rate staff and first rate facilities but we need to get a handle on these industrial relations as quickly as possible so that we can also give peace of mind to the staff as well as the public.

"I do expect the staff to be professional towards the public but at the same time it's true to say that morale is low.

"But I would also think and hope that the board recognises that they need the staff as much as the community.'' Last night a spokeswoman for the Bermuda Hospitals Board declined to comment on the latest development.

UNIONS UNS