weeks after other expatriate dining room staff were sacked, it emerged last night.

And shop stewards and management of the Sonesta Beach Hotel are set to meet this morning over the issue, said an employee who asked to remain nameless.

"This is a most important issue that has to be brought to everyone's attention. The shop stewards and staff are fuming over this issue,'' he said.

He told The Royal Gazette that a joint consultative committee meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m. when the issue would be brought to the fore.

In January, five expatriate waiters received six weeks' notice on New Year's Day from hotel management.

At the time, Sonesta vice president and general manager Dennis Tucker said: "We've made a business decision not to renew five work permits at the hotel.

"It is our hope and intention to find suitably qualified Bermudians to fill those posts.

"We have a responsibility to continue to advertise positions that are not held by Bermudians. We should try to fill all those positions.'' The anonymous source said a member of the hotel's Human Resources department went to Canada in January to interview prospective applicants.

"That was early. They had no intention to Bermudianise. They went ahead and did it. They told us a pack of lies. They got rid of some foreigners and brought in more.'' The man said staff were told that of the few Bermudians who applied for the jobs, most were unqualified. But he said: "There's a lot of money to be made in the dining room so why wouldn't Bermudians be interested?'' The source also pointed out that one of the Canadian waiters was kicked out of the hotel's dining room on Friday night by the captain because "he did not have a clue about what he was doing''.

The meeting comes a day after a disagreement between top level hotel management was resolved.

Internal correspondence between Mr. Tucker and the hotel's president and director Joseph Violi was obtained by The Royal Gazette yesterday.

A memo from Mr. Violi to Mr. Tucker earmarked "private and confidential'' and dated April 23 -- said the pair had "discussed the development of a job description'' for Mr. Tucker.

Mr. Violi had planned to take on "full responsibility for the Rooms and Food and Beverage departments'' while Mr. Tucker's role would be that of "community, Government and Union liaison''.

Meanwhile the vice-president would also be in charge of the resort in Mr.

Violi's absence.

The memo added: "With this choice you have decided not to gain further operational training by going to Curacao for additional development.'' Mr. Tucker's reply -- sent on the same date -- said: "I have no objection whatsoever to gaining further operational training and development, I have spent the last 35 years doing this.'' But he noted in the memo that after considering his family and other commitments he decided that he could not pack up and go to Curacao for an extended period within the time frame allowed.

Mr. Tucker noted that during his long career with Sonesta he had carried out the duties of the president and managing director in their absence.

And the vice-president said Mr. Violi explained his expectations in relation to him taking on the responsibilities of the Food & Beverage and Rooms Divisions.

"If a busboy failed to turn up for work, I was expected to bus tables, prior to your involvement in the same. You stated that I was an observer and not a doer,'' wrote Mr. Tucker.

"At that stage, I felt that I was doomed to failure and it would have been impossible for me to be successful, especially since these expectations and observations were made in such a threatening manner.

"In reading your memo, I get the distinct impression that I will be held in my current position and not given the opportunity in furthering my career.

"Please note that I vehemently object to this, but I assure you I will continue to strive for the best that Sonesta and this Bermuda community have to offer.'' When contacted yesterday, Mr. Tucker said: "This entire matter has been resolved favourably. It's business as usual.''