day sick-out was "pretty much back to normal'' although there was some delay at the Airport freight shed, a top official said yesterday.

Customs chief Mr. Gerry Ardis said many officers did have catching up to do in some areas although the Hamilton docks have returned to normal.

"It may take a day or so to take care of the freight shed (at the airport), he said. "But I expect in the next few days things will be normalised.'' His comments came a day after Customs officers, who ended a two day "sick-out'' on Wednesday, returned to work.

Industrial strife struck the department earlier this week over the hiring of Mrs. Sarah Carter Pendleton, the non-Bermudian spouse of a Bermudian.

A new Immigration law grants to non-Bermudian spouses of Bermudians equal employment rights, but the Bermuda Public Services Association maintains the civil service has yet to put that law into effect. The hiring was therefore illegal, the BPSA says.

Labour and Immigration Minister the Hon. J. Irving Pearman said it was up to Cabinet Secretary Mr. Leo Mill to determine whether or not the civil service had to immediately comply with the new law.

Mr. Mills is off the Island until next week.

Mr. Gerry Ardis