Michael Mello from sitting on a board to settle a new hotel workers' contract.

The Hotel Employers of Bermuda -- the negotiating arm for the hotel industry -- yesterday applied to prohibit Mr. Mello from sitting on the three-man Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board.

The suit follows one filed to quash the Labour Minister's appointment of Mr.

Mello to sit as deputy chairman in the hearing. The third writ is against Mr.

Mello personally and charges a "likelihood of bias'' against the hotels.

Yesterday, Chief Justice Sir James Astwood gave the HEB permission to proceed with actions to prohibit Mr. Mello sitting on the board and to quash his appointment. A hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Friday.

Mr. Mark Diel, lawyer for Mr. Mello, questioned the use of three actions against his client noting they all sought "identical relief.'' If the hearing goes ahead on Friday, the possibility exists that Board hearings scheduled to resume on Monday could again be delayed.

The court would have to hear three lawyers on the issue: Mr. Diel for Mr. Mr.

Mello, Solicitor General Mr. Andre Garneau for Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman and either Mr. Geoffrey Bell or Mr. Jai Pachai for the HEB.

Board chairman Professor Ronald Haughton last week postponed hearings so the court actions could be dealt with.

The board to hear the contract dispute is comprised of Prof. Haughton, Canon James Francis and Mr. Mello.

The allegations of bias against Mr. Mello stem from events last year when he was involved in an attempt to settle the contract dispute by arbitrator Mr.

William Hobgood.