The Bermuda Trade Union Congress (BTUC) now has formal legal status, thanks to speedy Senate approval of enabling legislation yesterday.

And Government senators argued that it was understandable that the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) has been reticent to join the umbrella organisation.

The umbrella organisation will not have the power to negotiate with employers or to call strikes, but it will be consulted by Government over employment law, and its representatives will sit on various Government boards.

Formally recognising the BTUC also paves the way for its members now to be sent to represent Bermuda at International Labour Organisation (ILO) conferences.

In his introduction to the bill, Government Senate leader David Burch said the legislation was part of a "trend of a steady progress" in the evolution of Bermuda's labour movement.

"This bill before us represents a new paradigm in labour relations; for it introduces into the forum a facility for social partnering and dialogue between trade unions in a meaningful and purposeful way," Sen. Burch said.

Benefits of the federation include the opportunity to pool resources for training and other purposes, he said.

"It is also anticipated that the advent of the federation will bring with it a higher level of accountability in trade unionism," he said.

Of the ten registered trade unions on the Island, seven are members of the BTUC which was formed in 2000.

But the BIU, the largest and most powerful union, has not joined.

While the bill itself was fully supported by the Senate, Opposition members questioned why the BIU had not joined given the close relationship between the union and the ruling Progressive Labour Party (PLP) Government.

Sen Leonard Santucci characterised that relationship as an "incestuous" one and suggested that there had been a breakdown in communications between Government and the BIU.

"The fact that the BIU is not a member of the group is not a sin," said Government Senator Calvin Smith.

He said that while the BIU is "fully supportive" of the BTUC, it had some concerns, and in order to be accountable to its members it had to have their concerns addressed.

While the smaller unions came together to become stronger "the BIU had always been strong", he added.

"Would the BIU be stronger or weaker ? A lot of things have to be ironed out." And he pointed out that the European Union started with just six member nations but is now practically a superstate of many more.

Sen. Burch criticised the Opposition for suggesting there was a "nefarious and ulterior motive as to why the BIU is not a member". He added that the Opposition party constantly attempted to vilify the Government at every opportunity.

The UBP also questioned Government's commitment to the tripartite process which fosters dialogue between labour, Government and employers, saying the Labour Advisory Council had not met in two years.

responded by saying that the fact that the full body had not met was not critical because sub committees had been doing work consistently

The Island's other unions lost patience with the BIU in 2000 and pressed ahead because they said they could not wait forever for the BIU to make decision.

The House of Assembly on Friday passed an amendment to the 1965 Trade Union Act to recognise the BTUC.