A top Minister last night hit back at claims he dragged his feet over new legislation on workplace union ballots.

And Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness denied he was responsible for the crippling dispute involving the Bermuda Industrial Union which hit Bermuda last week.

He said that both management and unions had rejected suggestions to allow ballots for union certification and decertification.

Mr. Edness said: "There has been a lot of talk about Government dragging its feet -- it's not true.'' He added he had taken over as Minister in August, 1995 and started pressing for new legislation.

But he said: "The reason for the delay is that one union -- the BIU -- did not agree, and would not agree, to decertification. Everyone else felt if we had certification, we had to have decertification.'' And he added that the Bermuda Employers' Council, as far back as August last year showed a reluctance to back legislation, preferring a voluntary approach to union ballots.

A Labour Advisory Council sub-committee later told Mr. Edness "there was no consensus on the issue''.

Mr. Edness said: "I told them then there were going to be problems because this was an important issue. I took up the call when I came on board to get this matter resolved -- I did not drag my feet on this business of legislation.

"But there is a perception out there -- some of the labour people are putting the blame on Government and some of the people in management are doing the same.'' But Mr. Edness claimed: "The foot-dragging came from the other two parties in the tripartite discussions -- it came from the labour side and it came from the management side.'' Mr. Edness was speaking in the wake of the three-day dispute which crippled public transport and garbage collection. The dispute broke out over union recognition at two dry-cleaners owned by businessman Stephen Thomson and spread to BIU members in the public and private sectors, leading to marches and picketing in Hamilton.

The dispute ended after Mr. Thomson -- whose other businesses are non-union -- backed down and agreed to a ballot in the two shops "in the interests of the Country''.

Mr. Edness said: "I have not talked with the BIU on this since the dispute and I don't know if its position has changed -- I hope so.

"I think it's the right thing to do and will contribute to peace and harmony between labour and management.

"The Bermuda Employers' Council and representatives from the Bermuda Hotel Association and other areas helped me a tremendous amount during this dispute and I'm very grateful.

"But they all agree I didn't drag my feet -- they know.'' It is understood that legislation allowing for workers to vote on whether they want to join a union -- or leave one -- will be placed before the House of Assembly on Friday.

BIU president Derrick Burgess is to meet Mr. Thomson tomorrow to arrange a ballot of the two shops at the centre of the dispute.

BACKED NEW LAW -- Quinton Edness