for a new collective bargaining agreement between hotels and the union.

While the three-year deal between the Hotel Employers of Bermuda and the Hotel Division of the Bermuda Industrial Union was ratified by union members on Thursday night, HEB members have yet to meet on it.

HEB chief John Harvey said: "We have not had an opportunity to talk to all our members about it. We will meet with our members early next week and put it to them.'' But he pointed out that the past agreement expired on February 25 and the new one was now ready to go in place.

Historically negotiations have been lengthy between the two sides and during the last bout of talks, Government stepped in and ordered binding arbitration in a last ditch attempt to settle.

Just before that process started, the two sides reached a one-year agreement to cover the season before the latest bout of talks could resume.

Mr. Harvey said: "For the first time in perhaps a long time both parties committed themselves to working together in a productive and sincere way to reach common ground.'' BIU president Derrick Burgess noted the Monitor Company's contribution toward the talks: "Monitor has certainly contributed as far as attitudes go. The air between the two sides was a little more pleasant than it has been.'' The hotel industry and its employees were facing serious challenges in their futures, added Mr. Harvey, who said that he hoped "initiatives we identify in the future will be addressed in the same manner''.

TOURISM TOU