on the eve of elections, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

For a supporter of current president Leleath Bailey has asked rival candidate Betty Christopher to be reprimanded for "bringing the union into disrepute'' for using divisive tactics.

But yesterday a Bermuda Public Service Association member close to the Christopher campaign insisted: "We have been accused of dividing the union.

"But what we are trying to do is put the unity back into the union and have an executive which, from the day they are elected, have a common purpose.'' And he claimed: "Over the last while, leadership under Ms Bailey has not been effective. What we have done is come up with a slate of officers to come up with an alternative.'' The BPSA, which represents white-collar Government workers and health care workers, goes to the polls today.

Only two positions are being contested -- president and assistant secretary, with Janet Burrows running on the Christopher ticket against Rita Smith for the post.

The Christopher camp follower claimed there was disagreement in the highest levels of the union at the moment.

He added that out of seven positions, five candidates are unopposed -- with three of them being Christopher supporters.

The insider said the team approach had been chosen because "the people who are running have a vision of how they'd like to see the union.'' He added that -- if elected -- the self-proclaimed "Team for Union Pride'' could work with the two other unopposed candidates.

The insider said: "No road is the wrong one -- we may take different routes to the destination and one may take longer that the other, but at least we know where we want to go.'' Around 700 of the 2,500 union members are expected to vote between ruling president Ms Bailey, who has held the top job for two years.

Veteran union member Ms Christopher has served on the union executive for two decades.

Ms Christopher has stood against Ms Bailey before, losing the 1996 election by 60 votes.

Ms Bailey, in her pre-election flyer, said the union was at a "crucial junction'' and also called for members to show greater unity.

And she said: "Moving towards the millennium and in preparation for the next election, we need to make sure that the welfare of the members is in good hands.

"To assure this we need continuity and dedication.''