leader Derrick Burgess claimed yesterday.

The Bermuda Industrial Union president said: "There was definitely no break here for the working class.'' Mr. Burgess was speaking a day after Finance Minister Grant Gibbons revealed his financial blueprint for the next year.

He said: "As expected, Government has delivered its pre-election Budget in the hopes of courting votes for the United Bermuda Party.

"And if that was the objective, Government will continue to enlist the support of the rich and famous.'' Mr. Burgess said Dr. Gibbons had relaxed duties for various businesses and boat owners -- but had left no leeway to ease the tax burden on the ordinary worker.

He added: "The cost of public transportation and the cost of hospitalisation increased. And, as usual, the cost of vehicle licences were raised. In fact, since 1990, vehicle licences have increased a total of 49.19 percent -- so there was definitely no break here for the working class.'' Mr. Burgess said the printing industry had got a zero rating on paper -- but added that if Government was serious about protecting printers, it would have raised duty on imported printed material.

And Mr. Burgess -- who warned of the perils of privatisation before the Budget -- said the issue had been "whispered'' in Dr. Gibbons' financial plan.

He said: "Privatisation is directed firmly at the average worker -- Government continues in its endeavours to employ high-level managers at pay rates which represent multiples of that of the ordinary working class.

"But the Bermuda Industrial Union vows to follow through on its promise to keep Bermudian workers employed by doing everything in its power to ensure job security for the working class.

"The Budget is not seen as beneficial to the community -- it is simply another election ploy,'' he said. "Therefore, the BIU looks forward to having a Government in power which shows concern for the ordinary citizen, not just the rich and powerful minority.''