Airline, union talks stalled Contractual negotiations between an American airline and the union representing its Bermudian staff have failed to get off the ground -- because the company has questioned union recognition.

The Bermuda Public Service Association set up contractual talks with American Airlines bosses after 18 staff members voted for unionisation in March.

But when the airline's representative, Bob Zell, flew into the Island earlier this week, he demanded that a second ballot on unionisation should be held -- because two staff members had left and four new employees had been taken on since the original ballot. Mr. Zell also claims that there has been a 50 percent swing against unionisation in the last six months.

Last night BPSA General Secretary Ed Ball Jr blasted the airline for trying to scupper the talks.

And he warned that, if managers had approached staff members to question them about union membership, they were breaking Bermudian laws.

"We must allow the contract to be negotiated but Mr. Zell is trying to preempt those negotiations,'' Mr. Ball said.

"But there's no position for a second ballot. The Labour Department has been in mediation talks but it seems that they don't understand Bermudian law -- they are trying to bargain in bad faith.'' Last night Mr. Zell could not be contacted to comment on company management's position.

BURNS MAN IN SERIOUS CONDITION HTH AC Burns man in serious condition The condition of a Smith's Parish man injured in a household gas explosion has been downgraded to serious condition.

Carlton Perinchief's status had risen on Monday to stable condition but staff at the burns unit of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland said his injuries had worsened by last night.

Mr. Perinchief, 37, suffered 90 percent burns after a gas stove exploded at his Crest View Road apartment in the early hours of August 16.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and later flown to the US.

A Police investigation into the incident has been launched.