in asking for continued representation by the BIU, union chief Mr. Ottiwell Simmons said yesterday.

"They're signing up for the BIU to represent them,'' Mr. Simmons said, adding he was not sure when the Minister of Labour would be notified of the action.

Grotto Bay Beach Hotel split with the Bermuda Industrial Union in 1991. The move was recently upheld by the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board, which found there was no collective agreement in place when the hotel eliminated mandatory tipping.

Pink Beach Club also tore up its agreement with the BIU. But after receiving a 55-name worker petition, Labour Minister the Hon. John Irving Pearman recently referred the issue of worker representation to the disputes board.

Mr. Pearman said he had not heard directly about the activity at Grotto Bay, but added: "I think there is a possibility that may be occurring.'' The Minister said it was not for him to say whether the Island's hotels should be unionised. "That's for the persons who work to decide whether or not they're desirous of a representative agent.'' Meanwhile, there was strong support by Elbow Beach workers for a petition asking for continued BIU representation at the hotel, sources said yesterday.

About 275 workers at the Paget hotel have been represented by the BIU. Some are presently on winter lay-off.

Mr. Pearman, who has referred the matter to the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board, would not say yesterday how many Elbow Beach workers signed the petition he received.

But three sources at Elbow Beach said yesterday the petition was signed by more than half the hotel's employees.