proposed new laws to recognise unions.

Both groups are battling over plans to allow middle-level managers to join unions, set to be discussed in Parliament later this year.

Middle managers at two hotels -- the Sonesta and the Southampton Princess -- have already called for unionisation rights.

But the Hotel Employers of Bermuda last night claimed the US and Canada had labour laws which excluded managers and supervisors.

A statement released by executive director John Harvey said the proposed Trade Union Amendment Bill had been studied by the Labour Advisory Council for almost a year.

The laws would make employers duty-bound to recognise unions, instead of allowing voluntary arrangements.

But the HEB statement said the legislation would be a step backwards in Bermuda's relations with international business.

It added: "The employers pointed out that in the United States and Canada, where comparable legislation exists which requires employers to recognise and bargain with duly selected unions, the statutes specifically exclude managerial and supervisory personnel from that obligation.

"Bermuda's economic competition and its economic partnerships are focused in Canada and the United States and it will ill serve Bermuda's future economic relationships to diverge so materially from the practices in the United States and Canada.'' It claimed the North American policies reflected "mature labour relations policies'' and Bermuda should follow the model.

But Bermuda Industrial Union chief Derrick Burgess, who was elected an Opposition MP this week, dismissed the HEB claims.

And he said Bermuda should take a lead by following recommendations set by the International Labour Organisation.

He added: "The US is the worst offender in the western world as far as ratifying ILO conventions goes.

"They ratify the least. And although they are probably the biggest contributor to that organisation, they certainly don't abide by its conventions.

"If the employers want to set examples, they ought to refer to the ILO recommendations, which are the true benchmark.

"No ILO convention excludes unions and even in the UK there are unions which recognise management.

"We are still a British colony and we should not necessarily follow the US and Canada.''