as investigations continue into international rules.

Government officials are looking at the Trade Union Amendment Act with regard to claims that it breaks International Labour Organisation conventions.

Deputy Governor Peter Willis met with the Bermuda Public Services Association yesterday in a bid to thrash out details of claims to the ILO by the BPSA.

He said there were no discussions on the Act itself, which still has not been signed into law by Governor Thorold Masefield.

"We did not discuss the act itself but we did talk about timing and procedure of their submissions to the ILO,'' he said.

He said there was no question that the BPSA's other claim, that the Act was unconstitutional, had any merit at all.

The act allows ballots in the workplace on union membership or on leaving a union, but it does not have provision for middle management to participate in the process.

It passed the House of Assembly in March and the Senate shortly after.

Mr. Willis said there was no time frame for a conclusion to the situation.

"We don't know how long it will take but it will be done as diligently as possible.'' BPSA general secretary Edward Ball Jr. refused to comment on the meeting.