up a defence fund to pay for union legal fees.

And BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons MP said a fund will be considered folllwing a series of legal battles last month.

Speaking after the 90-minute "full'' membership meeting at BIU headquarters where lawyer Mr. Delroy Duncan briefed members on the Court of Appeal decision which tore up an order to seize union assets, Mr. Simmons said he still did not know the legal costs facing the union from the Bermuda Forwarders Dispute.

The dispute led to the union calling an Island-wide strike last month.

Chief Justice the Hon. Sir James Astwood ordered that the union's assets be seized and a $100,000-a-day fine be imposed for a breach of an injunction issued to end alleged illegal striking by Government workers.

The Chief Justice later made a stay of execution on the sequestrian order, pending the appeal hearing.

The Court of Appeal awarded legal costs, estimated at $100,000, to the union.

Mr. Simmons said the union will also take "serious steps'' to set up a youth wing to prepare for future leadership and to give youngsters the opportunity to learn more about trade unions and to participate in union activities.

"This was called for because we are absolutely certain that the establishment is bent on wrecking the Bermuda Industrial Union and all that it stands for,'' he said. "With young blood coming up through our ranks we can ensure against this.'' Mr. Simmons said the membership also agreed to be more actively engaged in activities "that would be of use and attractive'' to senior citizens.

He said many senior citizens have and should continue to make contributions to the union and vice versa.

"We feel the union should carry the community from the cradle to just before the grave,'' he said.