the next round of a fight to improve their pay and conditions.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons said contract talks with Government had remained deadlocked.

"There appears to be no hope for a negotiated settlement.'' Mr. Simmons claimed management was not doing enough to close the gap between the two sides.

"It is our view there seems to be some concerted effort between Government and employers to bust the union. We are not going to take this any longer.'' Next Tuesday's meeting will take place at BIU headquarters, starting at 7 p.m.

"All members are asked to attend as critical decisions must be made in order to force a settlement in these talks,'' said Mr. Simmons.

His appeal is to street cleaners, bus drivers, ferry and tug boat workers, and Public Works and Agriculture and Fisheries employees.

Mr. Simmons said contract talks for the 900-plus employees had been in progress since August 1994.

"A whole multitude of issues remain unresolved, and it is a clear indication that the management and Government side haven't been negotiating and trying to reduce the margin of difference between the parties.'' Mr. Simmons drew similarities with the dispute between the BIU and the Hotel Employers of Bermuda.

"There is a parallel attitude to that of the hotel employers. In that dispute some 30 issues are unresolved.'' Important meeting He added: "I am appealing for all Government employees who are under the current agreement to attend Tuesday's very important meeting.'' Asked what kind of options were open to the union, Mr. Simmons played his cards close to his chest.

He refused to be drawn on whether striking was an option.

"We will take some sort of action,'' is all he would say.

Mr. Simmons said the talks had not yet gone to arbitration, but this could be discussed.

Last night, Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. John Irving Pearman said he was not in a position to say much on the dispute.

He said the talks could go to an arbitrator -- but neither of the sides in negotiation had approached his Ministry on this.