The BIU will elect a new president on Friday with Vice President Chris Furbert tipped to take over from Derrick Burgess who is retiring. Mr. Burgess has led the BIU since 1996 when he beat Mr. Furbert by just three votes to replace Ottiwell Simmons.

Mr. Furbert is said to have the backing of 11 of the 13 divisions although BIU Education officer Collin Simmons and BIU Chief Union Organiser/Negotiator George Scott are also in the running. One union insider said Mr. Furbert, branded a radical by many, had mellowed down recently.

The source said: ?In the last couple of years he has matured. He brings more willingness to listen and at least try to resolve issue and recognise change.

?Mr. Furbert does have good bargaining skills ? he settled the Telco agreement very successfully in the last two or three contracts and he has settled Government contracts. He?s doing some good work.?

The delegates conference begins tomorrow with Mr. Burgess and Transport Minister Ewart Brown set to speak. The theme of the conference is Trade Unionism and Tourism ? the Next Level.

Meanwhile, the outgoing president last night said that people who attacked the Bermuda Industrial Union over lengthy delays in filing its accounts to the Registrar General were trying to ?divide and conquer?.

In a television interview, Mr. Burgess said the union?s finances were in good condition and that nothing was being hidden from members.

?They (the accounts) are being worked on and they will be ready,? he told ZBM.

He added: ?Those same people that are calling for the statements have never done anything in their lives to enhance the welfare of workers in this country.?

Mr. Burgess said that people who criticised the delay and made claims about rising union wages were trying to keep workers ?off balance?.

The union has not filed any accounts with the Registrar General, as required by law, since 1999.

Mr. Burgess was not asked about the role of the union, and initial contractor Pro-Active Construction, in financing the controversial new Berkeley Institute project ? and any impact this may have had on the union?s finances ? during last night?s interview.

Mr. Burgess, also a Government backbencher, told ZBM that before the PLP came to power workers were afraid to take industrial action and said clandestine Police activity, like phone tapping of union leaders, took place.

To a lesser extent, it still happened today, he added, although no specific examples were given. He said people were now more comfortable taking to the streets as Government was not ?vindictive?.