series of complaints about promotions.

Staff complained to bosses that accepted promotions guidelines had been overlooked since the Collector of Customs Gerry Ardis retired earlier this year.

One anonymous Customs officer even wrote to The Royal Gazette to say staff morale had plunged to "an extreme low''.

He said long-term employees feared their appraisals were being ignored and staff had not been informed of new promotions practices.

The issue was discussed at a union meeting hosted by the Bermuda Public Services Association earlier this month.

But Acting Collector of Customs Norma Smith said senior Customs officers and the BPSA were already addressing staff concerns.

She said: "No new promotions have been made recently and we have had many high-level, constructive meetings with people who are concerned.

"We don't actually have any jurisdiction over when the BPSA makes the next wave of promotions.

"But our meetings are ongoing and we are reminding staff that everything will be done to make sure that the promotions are fair and effective.

"We want the right people to be selected for the right posts and I do know staff have some worries.

"Many of those concerns have already been addressed and we will continue to give reassurances to staff.'' She would not comment on suggestions in the unsigned letter to The Royal Gazette that Customs chiefs had implemented a new promotions process.

The author said application forms for internal promotions were now being graded -- but staff were not being told the job requirements for each grade.

He added: "We at Customs over the past years have submitted or updated our personal files upon management request.

"Is it normal practice for managers to put in place new procedures? Some officers have proven themselves to be good successful managers to lead Customs into the 21st Century.

"Don't hold us back due to your bad management skills.'' Ms. Smith stored the letter on file but said it contained "a number of inaccuracies''.

BPSA spokesman Eugene Blakeney said: "This matter has been under discussion for the last month.

"We have had meetings with top Government people and there have been many discussions at management level.

"Restructuring and changes to promotional policies happen often but I cannot reveal what was on the agenda at the union meeting earlier this month.''