job action erupted yesterday.

Scuffles broke out in the kitchen area as workers protested management's efforts to oust their union.

Guests awoke to find notes slipped under their doors apologising for trouble they blamed on managers who tore up their collective agreement.

The partial work stoppage, which turned into a day-long stand-off until protesters went home about 8 p.m., began at breakfast when Bermuda Industrial Union members turned off gas for the ovens and obstructed managers and workers who tried to serve guests.

Food and beverage director Mr. Stanley Ray received a burn on the leg when a worker grabbed away a frying pan while he was cooking omelettes, hotel managing director Mr. John Jefferis said.

Another worker cut his hand after punching his fist through the glass in the kitchen door. The man was apparently frustrated when unable to get through the door to work.

"The disruption can only be described as pretty disgusting,'' Mr. Jefferis said. "Many employees have been harassed and pushed and shoved and generally intimidated in an unpleasant manner.

"This happened in front of the guests.'' Last month, the BIU threatened to strike Elbow Beach when its occupancy reached 70 percent. The 298-unit hotel has been above that level for more than two weeks.

About 50 workers occupied the kitchen, main dining room, and staff cafeteria at any given time. But some workers went home as others arrived and joined the protest, and closer to 80 workers were likely involved.

In the dining room, they sat and chatted, read, played backgammon, and even danced to music from a portable stereo.

Many workers stayed at their jobs and worked alongside 30 managers, but Mr.

Jefferis said he could not estimate how many. About 300 people work at the hotel on a normal day, he said.

No pickets were set up, and BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons MP did not call the action a strike. "It was decided we should not take a strike as such,'' Mr. Simmons said.

Instead, the BIU will "demonstrate within the hotel'' until management restores the union agreement, he said. The protest is scheduled to last three days, but "if by the third day we haven't had a resolution the matter will be reviewed.'' Both Mr. Simmons and Mr. Jefferis expected more job action today.

Mr. Jefferis said he had no intention of closing the hotel or locking workers out. Visitors had spent plenty to get to Bermuda and management would work "24 hours a day'' to make sure they enjoyed their stay, he said. Also, "we feel that many of the staff aren't supportive of this action,'' and should be allowed to work.

Acting Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Michael Winfield expressed "very great regret'' at the actions, but was careful not to take sides. He said he received a complaint of an "unfair labour action'' from Mr. Jefferis and has referred it to the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board.

Issues between the hotel and BIU are already referred to that board for a June 28 hearing, but Sen. Winfield said an earlier date is now sought.

Meanwhile, "it is open to either of the par ties...to seek the immediate help of the courts,'' he said.

At a BIU general meeting yesterday, members were asked to attend the hotel to support the protest today, or failing that to "congregate'' there after 5 p.m.

Mr. Simmons arrived at Elbow Beach at 12.40 p.m. and delivered a pep talk, telling workers to leave peacefully if forced by Police but to stand up for their rights. "The management has broken the laws of the country,'' he said.

Five BIU members, including chief organiser Mr. Robert Johnston and chief negotiator Dr. Barbara Ball, were cited by Police for trespassing under the Hotelkeepers Protection Act 1930.

But although up to a dozen officers attended the hotel, no arrests were made.

Officials said Police wanted the dispute settled between the hotel and the union, and feared their intervention could escalate matters.

Mr. Jefferis was angry the Police did not remove the protesters at his request. "It's amazing that this is allowed to happen in this country,'' he said.

Workers down tools at Elbow Beach Shortly after noon, chefs who continued working turned their huge boiling vats on full in an apparent effort to steam the workers out. The protesters sweltered, and condensation dripped from the ceiling, but the sit-in continued.

Guests remained largely oblivious as managers made extra efforts to continue services.

"The eggs were on strike -- they weren't making omelettes,'' said Mrs.

Lillian Cosio of Miami after eating breakfast amid the dining room troubles.

But she said she was not concerned by the work stoppage. "We just went through a hurricane, so we can go through anything,'' she said.

A Massachusetts woman said she returned to her room in the afternoon to find it cleaned and her linen changed.

Management moved dinner to a separate dining room.

Mr. Jefferis said he offered to resume deduction of union dues for any workers who requested. "I feel we've done everything possible to resolve this dispute,'' he said.

"That's not good enough,'' Mr. Johnston said. "Put the agreement in place now.'' HELP YOURSELF -- Guests at Elbow Beach (left) carry their own plates yesterday after protesting workers disrupted breakfast. In the picture at right, hotel managing director Mr. John Jefferis faces Bermuda Industrial Union officials in the kitchen.