being able to strike are well intentioned, but dangerous.

The principle that workers should be able to withdraw their labour is a long-standing one and should not be given up lightly.

There are circumstances when workers have no other recourse but to strike, in the same way that employers sometimes have no recourse but to lock out their employees.

However, these actions should only be taken as a last resort, and there are safeguards built into Bermuda's labour legislation to prevent "wildcat strikes'', particularly in the essential services upon which Bermuda depends.

Government is embroiled in two disputes affecting essential services -- one on Hamilton Docks in which Government is acting as a mediator and the other affecting its own staff in the Works and Engineering Ministry.

The docks have been affected by a series of walkouts, which are clearly in breach of labour laws. Government has not utilised all the powers available to it to prevent further unrest.

Here Mr. Simons has a point. He said: "Surely the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety and our new Attorney General should be the first to tell the people of this Country, and all sides in a dispute, that their Government will not tolerate, nor accept, any threatening behaviour which affects our essential service industries.'' In part because of the sensitivities associated with the Government's ties with labour, it is important that it show that it intends to carry out its duties in a quick and effective way.

In the Works and Engineering disputes, Minister Alex Scott appears to be standing his ground, and rightly so, regarding to the two more serious cases.

On the basis of which has emerged, it seems bizarre that the union would want to be planning to strike on these issues.

Mr. Simons is wrong to call for a ban on strikes, but Government should utilise the powers it has to effect labour peace and to minimise disruption to the Island, especially at the beginning of the tourism season.

TESTING JOB EDT Testing job It is hard to know whether to offer Kalmar Richards congratulations or condolences on her appointment as the new principal of CedarBridge Academy.

Beginning in September, she faces one of the hardest jobs in Bermuda as she will be responsible for ensuring that CedarBridge will meet the hopes and expectations that the community has invested in the school.

At the same time, she is well qualified for the post and highly regarded by her colleagues.

She could do worse than to emulate outgoing principal Ernest Payette when she takes on the job; he led the school through its first two years with courage and honesty and has left Mrs. Richards with a solid base on which to continue to build the school.

She deserves the support of her staff, students, their parents, the Ministry of Education and the whole community as she takes on her new task.