leader Mr. Ottiwell Simmons said yesterday.

"It's not just workers' jobs at risk,'' he said. "It's management's jobs at risk too.'' The threat came from American company chiefs concerned at the running of the hotel, said Mr. Simmons.

His statement was the latest shot in a row between hotel management and the Bermuda Industrial Union, sparked when seven housekeeping supervisors lost their jobs at Sonesta last week.

The union has complained of "foreign management'' and lack of opportunities for Bermudians.

But hotel boss Mr. David Boyd has pointed to Bermudians in top positions or in training schemes.

Mr. Simmons spoke yesterday after a meeting of Sonesta workers at union headquarters. "It was extremely well attended,'' he said.

"They have elected to have a working committee to sit and go through the complaints they have listed, and to work up a case to present to management, to see if they can sort these matters out.'' Mr. Simmons said the complaints were "common to all hotels''. But he declined to specify them. "It's a matter for the union and management.'' Meetings could be held in a couple of weeks, he said.

"I'm sure that management, if they want a smooth opening and a resourceful tourist season, will be meeting with the workers and most of the matters, the major ones, will be cleared up.''