The Bermuda Public Service Association is out of touch with its membership, presidential candidate Leleath Bailey has claimed.

And the vice-president said her priority, if elected, would be to get the rank and file involved in decision making with more policies decided by a poll of all members.

She told The Royal Gazette : "A survey of members said communication needs to be more effective.

"The newsletter is on hold, but it is a key form of communication. I hope to get it back into full operation at least once a month.'' Mrs. Bailey is up against old sparring partner and present incumbent Betty Christopher and the election is expected to be a close one this year.

Mrs. Christopher lost the 1996 election by 60 votes, but overturned this result in 1998 by landing 28 votes more than her rival.

During that campaign supporters of Mrs. Bailey had accused Mrs. Christopher of bringing the union into disrepute with divisive tactics. Mrs. Bailey said she had lost the 1998 election because people felt it was time for a change, but she said the mood for change would work in her favour this time round.

Mrs. Christopher was staying tight-lipped about this year's poll, saying she did not wish to play the campaign out through the media.

And Mrs. Bailey was also keeping her cards close to her chest on some important issues affecting the bulk of the union's membership.

Asked about the leaked review of the Civil Service Mrs. Bailey said: "I'm not in a position to speak about it as it has not been officially released so members have not been officially appraised of what it contains.

"But I am encouraged by the Government's comment that no jobs will be lost.'' Mrs. Bailey, who works as an administration assistant at Government's Health and Safety Office, said work conditions were a key concern for her.

She said: "We have members working in health and safety risk environments and we really need to address that issue.'' She added: "Some old buildings where people work need to be upgraded and we will talk to employers about that.'' She said under her leadership the union would encourage members to name unsafe sites.

The poll for president of the BPSA is on February 3. Members who will be away then can vote in the advanced poll at the BPSA's Angle Street headquarters between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on January 27.

Leleath Bailey