hearing should not be jeopardised by the public reporting of their statements.

That was the explanation given yesterday by American arbitrator Mr. Arnold M.

Zack for banning the Press from the tribunal.

"This is not a court of law,'' he said. "It's an administrative tribunal and individuals should be able to testify without fear of outside repercussions.'' Mr. Zack imposed the ban on Thursday, so ending press coverage of a union-recognition dispute that flared into a mid-July work stoppage at the hotel.

Workers walked off their jobs to protest unsatisfactory working conditions, especially the discarding of the mandatory tipping system.

Two fired waiters, Mr. Glen Goater and Mr. Junior Williams, along with current dining room staff, were set to testify at the hearing on Thursday.

That morning, Mr. Zack ordered the Press from the room.

The disputes board hearing will decide if union recognition exists at the hotel and if the sacking of the two waiters was justified.

Mr. Zack said he was concerned that the witnesses' job prospects elsewhere could be affected if their names and their comments were reported.

"I made the ruling to ban the Press and it was acquiesced by both parties.

This is more of a human rights issue,'' he said.

Mr. Arnold Zack.