sign a new agreement that affects some 3,500 hotel workers, The Royal Gazette has learned.

On Friday the 55-page agreement was signed between the Bermuda Hotel Association and Bermuda Industrial Union.

Although the Island's seven larger hotels have signed the agreement, there are some 12 smaller properties that have said they will not sign it.

"This is really the first signed agreement since 1988,'' BIU president Mr.

Ottiwell Simmons said. "The agreement covering 1991-1995 was an arbitrated agreement but was not signed.

"Just through sheer length of time (Friday's signing) becomes significant,'' he continued. "There are some seven hotels that have signed, but there are some 12 smaller hotels which have said they will not sign the agreement.'' Consequently, Mr. Simmons said that representatives from the BIU will be approaching the management and owners of the smaller hotels to seek their cooperation in signing the agreement on behalf of the workers.

None of the smaller properties contacted by The Royal Gazette -- Coral Beach Club, Horizons, Pink Beach, Ariel Sands, Rosedon, The Reefs and Cambridge Beaches -- were in a position to comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, Mr. Stephen Barker president of the Bermuda Hotel Association said he could only view the signing as a positive step.

Mr. Barker said his organisation has followed all three previously arbitrated agreements although the union did not accept them.

"The mind set of the worker versus management is a mind set that is a holdover from the 1960s. We cannot afford to compete against each other, only a united effort will benefit both sides.''