top union and hotel officials in light of their new agreement.

The Hotel Employers of Bermuda (HEB) and the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) jointly announced that a one year collective bargaining agreement had been reached between the two parties. And Finance Minister Grant Gibbons, in his capacity of Acting Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, said: "I am ... forthwith withdrawing from the Essential Industries Dispute Settlement Board any items for binding arbitration between the parties.'' In conclusion, he noted: "In a spirit of goodwill, I would like to express my appreciation to the parties for their continued efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.'' The BIU and the HEB have pledged to sort out the remaining two years of the agreement by February 25, 1999. It is the first time that there has been a one year agreement between the two parties.