A large proportion of a major airline's local ground crew called in sick yesterday after management turned down a request for union recognition.

The industrial action caused delays on all three of USAirway's outbound flights.

USAirways local general manager Herbie Siggins told The Royal Gazette that " a large percentage of agents slated to work today called in sick''.

"Two agents and myself ran the entire operation. Eleven people were slated to work today.'' Mr. Siggins said he and the two agents processed all of the airline's booked passengers -- 286 in total -- and all three of the airline's scheduled flights from the Island continued their service.

But the lack of staff caused USAir's flights to Baltimore and Philadelphia to be delayed by 40 minutes while the flight to Charlotte suffered a 15 minute delay.

Mr. Siggins declined to comment on what had caused the members of staff to call in sick.

However Bermuda Public Services Association general secretary Eugene Blakeney revealed what had happened.

"I wrote to Mr. Siggins, the manager of USAirways, on March 5 seeking recognition on behalf of his staff. I received no reply and on May 9 the labour relations officer Glenn Fubler wrote to Mr. Siggins regarding my request.'' It later emerged that USAir officials were waiting for the Trade Union Amendment Act -- legislation which will allow for workplace union ballots -- before they held discussions.

"We received a reply from Mr. Bruce Briggs, USAir's director of ground services, who is stationed in the US. In his letter he said he preferred to wait to the enactment of the Act before discussing the issue of recognition.'' However the staff -- mostly ground crew -- were not prepared to wait for that, said Mr. Blakeney.

"I believe many of the members took sick,'' he said.

"The Labour Department's permanent secretary Mr. John Drinkwater has been in touch with Mr. Briggs who has agreed to come to Bermuda on September 10 and discuss the matter of recognition. Hopefully this will be granted.'' And both Mr. Blakeney and Mr. Siggins said they expected things to return to normal at the airport today.

"They should be over their illness and be returning to work tomorrow,'' said Mr. Blakeney.

"I am anticipating that the staff will return to work tomorrow,'' said Mr.

Siggins.

But Tourism Minister David Dodwell voiced his concerns over the dispute.

"I am concerned about anything that could have a negative impact on the customer. Because air travel is such a sensitive issue these days, being able to get people processed efficiently and quickly is important to our future.'' UNIONS UNS