Hotel workers are in "strike mode'', but have not yet decided what to do about the latest board ruling against them.

That was the verdict of the Bermuda Industrial Union president last night after a stormy meeting of hotel members.

"They wanted a strike but we had to restrain ourselves,'' said president Mr.

Ottiwell Simmons MP, asked why a decision had not been reached.

Another hotels division meeting would be held on Tuesday, he said, urging members to attend.

Yesterday's session discussed Monday's Government board ruling which said hotel workers should not receive increased tips for 1992.

It was not clear how many attended the meeting, which ran about 45 minutes over time.

Afterwards, Mr. Simmons and other officials assembled with about 40 workers to speak to reporters.

The report of the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board, chaired by American arbitrator Mr. Arnold Zack, was "still under consideration'', he said.

"We're unable to reach any complete conclusion. We have not rejected it, we have it under active consideration.'' Before a conclusion could be reached, two things had to happen.

"The Hotel Employers of Bermuda must commit themselves to signing the collective bargaining agreement immediately. That means now.

"And we're expecting our membership to make a commitment to get out here and further discuss this report, because it's important that all the workers realise that we believe, in spite of the hearing, that the hotel employers still have money belonging to the workers.

"There can be no award that legitimises or legalises the taking of another person's property.'' Management should not be given a "licence to steal'', Mr. Simmons said. "We think it's morally wrong and it's criminal.'' Workers were "very unhappy indeed'' and he could not guarantee smooth working in the hotels.

There had already been stoppages at Sonesta Beach and one of the Princess hotels recently, he said.

He called on workers to prove to management they were not weak or complacent.

Mr. Zack could be asked to review the board decision, he said.

The report of the previous Haughton board did not say anywhere that workers were not entitled to their tips, Mr. Simmons added.

Union officials feel the original 1991 contract award drawn up by Mr.

William Hobgood has been misunderstood in the complex series of hearings that have followed.

The HEB was surprised by the Zack ruling, they believe.

They estimate workers have a total claim of up to a million dollars against their employers.

Bermudians have donated $1,050 to the African National Congress through the BIU credit union.

The cash was sent last week to the Mandela Freedom Fund, set up to help the ANC in South Africa's historic all-race elections.

The fund will accept donations after the elections, the BIU said.