rubber stamped by Governor Thorold Masefield this week.

The Trade Union Amendment Act was passed by the House of Assembly in March and by the Senate shortly after. But the act was sidelined after union leaders claimed that it broke the Island's constitution. The law excludes middle managers from automatic union representation rights.

Both Bermuda Industrial Union and Bermuda Public Service Association officials met with the Governor in July and also contacted the UK Government and the International Labour Organisation in a bid to get the law thrown out.

But The Royal Gazette understands that the ILO has now given the Act the green light.

Earlier BIU leader Derrick Burgess blasted the new law, claiming that it would result in up to 15 percent of the workforce not having union representation.

"When the Governor tells me that the Act isn't against the constitution he is wrong,'' he said.

"It is like telling someone they can join the Mid Ocean Golf Club but they can't play golf.'' Union leaders are expected to give their reaction to the signing later today.

UNIONS UNS