Layoffs at the former Sonesta Beach Hotel were not a surprise for the Bermuda Industrial Union, president Derrick Burgess said on Friday ? though that did not mitigate the hardship of being unemployed.

More than 100 employees were temporarily laid off at the hotel, now managed by Wyndham Resorts, at the end of last month for final renovations to the property to be completed.

"It's difficult to sell a hotel product when it's unfinished," Mr. Burgess explained.

The BIU arranged with the Labour Department to set up an employment desk at the resort assisting the 100-plus employees with finding jobs, he said, although figures as to how many were successful were not available at the time.

The hotel is scheduled to be re-opened on April 1, 2005 ? hopefully completed, Mr. Burgess said. All the employees who were laid off in the interim period are expected to be rehired at that time. has been unable to contact the hotel owner, Clifford Schorer, regarding this story.