Union chief Derrick Burgess last night claimed four people were sacked from a cleaning company for trying gain union recognition.

Earlier this week four Molly Maid employees were sacked -- the day after a group of staff from the company as well as Island Cleaning Services sought union recognition.

However last night Rick Thompson, owner of Molly Maid and Island Cleaning Services, dismissed the union's claims.

He said the four people were dismissed for poor work performances and that he had never blocked staff from seeking union recognition.

Yesterday Bermuda Industrial Union president, Mr. Burgess said the union was in dispute with the two companies over what he said was the unfair dismissal of four staff.

Mr. Burgess said that last Monday all Molly Maid staff and a majority of eligible staff at Island Cleaning Services visited the BIU headquarters to ask for union recognition.

"Workers were upset over low wages and poor working conditions,'' said Mr.

Burgess.

He added that as a result of the meeting the BIU wrote to Mr. Thompson asking that he granted his staff union representation -- but Mr. Burgess said he was still waiting for a reply.

"On Tuesday Mr. Thompson unjustly and systematically dismissed four key employees citing poor work as his reason,'' said Mr. Burgess.

"The union contends that he has interfered with the natural course of industrial relations by eliminating people who have merely exercised their legal and constitutional rights to representation.'' The union has asked for the help of the Labour Relations Officer claiming Mr.

Thompson is in "clear violation of Bermuda laws''.

Cleaners From Page 1 Mr. Burgess added: "We will be calling on Government to review any contracts it has with this employer or any employer which so blatantly denies workers their natural right of freedom of association.'' Last night Mr. Thompson said he knew of no laws he had violated saying the four people were dismissed for "appropriate causes''.

He said he had responded to the union's letter and had no objection to the organisation.

"The staff have not been to me with their concerns. They have not come to me to discuss anything. The thing about the union has come out of the blue.

"Why they have been dismissed has nothing to do with the union,'' added Mr.

Thompson, who said his staff were paid superior wages.

"I have talked to the Labour Relations Officer twice and we discussed what the situation was and that was the end of it. I am not denying the staff anything.''