union recognition for middle management at the Southampton Princess, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness last night confirmed he would be meeting with the Bermuda Industrial Union to discuss the issue next week.

Mr. Edness said: "The Ministry has to play some sort of a role in arbitrating and trying to bring about some sort of resolution.'' But he declined to make a prediction on what might be an amicable solution for both parties.

Mr. Edness said: "There is no law in Bermuda at the moment which says people can demand such recognition -- on the other hand, there are fairly large numbers of people who wish such recognition.'' The news of Government intervention comes only a month after a war of words broke out between Princess Hotels regional vice president Stephen Barker and BIU president Derrick Burgess.

Mr. Barker claimed the bid to unionise management could have "catastrophic'' results for the industry.

He added that collective bargaining for management grades could scare off potential investors -- or even cripple existing, struggling, operations.

And he accused the union of being "reckless'' with the future prosperity of the industry.

But Mr. Burgess dismissed Mr. Barker's claims as "scaremongering'' and said unions representing management and blue-collar workers already existed in Bermuda.

Last night, Mr. Edness moved to pour oil on the troubled waters and counselled against any drastic action by either side.

He said: "I know both sides are getting rather anxious -- everyone wishes to avoid it becoming an issue which is going to lead to any unfortunate action by either side.

"In good faith we will just have to try and get a meeting of the minds.'' Quinton Edness UNION UNS