"deceit''.

The accusation came as Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman sent the hotel wrangle to a board of inquiry.

He said the row would now go before the Trade Disputes Tribunal. A hearing date has yet to be fixed.

Findings of the tribunal are legally enforceable.

Mr. Pearman stepped in as bosses and the Bermuda Industrial Union failed to settle the matter themselves.

A meeting between the two sides had been set for yesterday at Stonington Beach Hotel. But it was cancelled at the last minute after the BIU accused management of refusing to let the union take part.

Workers' spokesman Ms Debbie Fox said union representation at Grotto Bay was key to the dispute.

Hotel resident manager Mr. Clyde Darrell, however, refused to be drawn on the issue.

Yesterday Mr. Simmons said of management: "They have deceived us, and their employees.'' Mr. Simmons said it had been settled the sides should meet with Government's labour relations officer Mr. Edwin Wilson. And the proposed talks had the blessing of Mr. Pearman, stressed Mr. Simmons.

"It wasn't until yesterday we discovered management or the board of directors decided they did not want to be meeting with the union.'' Mr. Simmons said he was dismayed by management's "most disappointing behaviour''.

"The workers of Grotto Bay have a legal right and a constitutional right to freedom of association with a union and the right to enjoy collective bargaining.'' Mr. Simmons urged Government to speak out on whether management was behaving constitutionally.

"I believe they are not,'' he said.

He added: "As far as I'm concerned management is behaving in an almost immature fashion which is out of step with what is happening. It is not funny.'' Mr. Simmons also called on the Hotel Employers of Bermuda and the Bermuda Employers Council to state their position on the dispute.

He was unable to say whether the hotel would be hit by more striking.

"That is for the workers to decide,'' he said.

Yesterday Secretary of Grotto Bay Property Ltd. Mr. Charles Vaucrosson stressed workers had to decide if they wanted union representation.

"If staff want it they get it, if they don't they won't. You can't force it down their throats.'' Mr. Vaucrosson called for the "proper procedures'' to be followed to discover how staff felt.

Mr. Pearman said it came as no surprise the matter was being referred to the tribunal.

"We had arranged for some discussions between the parties, but these did not materialise. They did not come to fruition.''