The giant hotel was rocked as housekeepers, joined by laundry staff and some beach workers, downed tools for most of the day.

They returned after management and the Bermuda Industrial Union hammered out a "tentative'' truce. Talks are to continue.

Guests reported beds were not made up until late in the afternoon, after workers went back on the job.

"There was a dispute this morning over the question of linen for the guest rooms,'' said BIU leader Mr. Ottiwell Simmons MP last night.

"The housekeeping department were unable to get sufficient supplies to satisfy the demand for the morning's make-up of the rooms.

"We understand that the shortage came as a result of the laundry having not worked over the weekend, and there is a shortage of linen in any case.

"Once the housekeeping department were out and were unable to get a quick resolution to the problem, the laundry workers joined them.

"Then, I was made to understand, later in the day some of the beach workers joined the downing of tools.

"Between that action, the shop stewards' vigilance, the arrival of the union's general secretary Mollie Burgess and then management seeking a resolution, we got this tentative settlement.

"I call it tentative because the two sides will have to get together again to look further into the whole question of the scheduling of the laundry workers and the amount of linen.

"I think management is on some sort of foolish cost-cutting economy plan.

"They think by cutting out work, they're cutting costs. But they don't realise that if they cut costs it also runs the risk of cutting down the quality of service.'' The walk-out began when housekeepers gathered at the back of the hotel early yesterday, and ended after 3 p.m..

Bosses at the hotel were tight-lipped. Guest services manager Mr. Roderick Johnson said he was not aware there had been a problem.

Hotel manager Mr. John Malins then admitted: "There was a labour concern to which management and union responded and dialogue is in progress towards a mutually satisfactory resolution.

"I do not wish to make any comments to pre-empt that process and its outcome.''