Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) vice president Chris Furbert has decided not to challenge President Derrick Burgess for the leadership of the 4,000-strong union. But it is likely that he will make a bid for the presidency at the next delegates conference which is in 2006.

The challenge was expected to be put to a delegates conference in March 2002.

Meanwhile two BIU veterans, Barbara Ball and former leader Robert Johnston are stepping down from their board positions.

Mr. Furbert cited "personal reasons" for deciding not to challenge Mr. Burgess.

"It's not that I don't want to be leader anymore," he stressed. Mr. Furbert said his duties as president of the Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHC) meant he had to forego the challenge for now. The club is about to embark on an important development project, he revealed.

Mr. Burgess has led the BIU since 1996 when he beat Mr. Furbert by just three votes to replace Ottiwell Simmons, who retired after 22 years in the post.

He had no comment on the fact that he will not be challenged for the leadership position. "We have a conference in March and I have no comment," he said.

Mr. Furbert said: "Provided the membership want me to stay as vice-president, I'm still going to be second in command. I don't consider it a loss. I will come back at another time - hopefully in four years time, provided God spares life."

Mr. Burgess and Mr. Furbert were also said to have fought each other for the post of union negotiator in the mid 1990s. That time Mr. Furbert won the day.

Asked whether it was likely that anyone else will challenge Mr. Burgess, Mr. Furbert said: "As far as I know there's no one that can challenge him right now."

The union divisions had already decided on their nominations at meetings held in October and November, he explained. "Most definitely he will be president for another four years - which I fully endorse."

At the delegates conference, union divisions get to submit their nominations for ten executive positions. At least two of them will be vacant - the positions of Chief Organiser and Research Officer.

According to the Worker's Voice, veteran Barbara Ball is retiring as Research Officer and Government Senator Calvin Smith, who is currently the union's assistant General Secretary, has expressed his interest in replacing Dr. Ball.

Graham Nesbitt has indicated his interest in serving as the Assistant General Secretary.

Robert Johnston has been the union's organiser since 1974 and preceded Ottiwell Simmons as the union's president. "I'm simply not standing for election," he said.

Former PLP candidate George Scott, Jr has put his name forward as a candidate for the Chief Organiser position.