Nigel Pemberton's triumphant campaign for the presidency of Bermuda Public Service Association earlier this month may have come out of the blue to many.

But the 49-year-old has a wealth of union experience, having served as chief shop steward in the Customs division for 15 years.

He first showed an interest in political matters at aged 15 when, as chairman of the Black Student Association, he taught black history after school alongside other Berkeley-ites such Michelle Khaldun.

Now he is at the helm of Bermuda's second largest union, which this year will have to negotiate 11 pay awards including one for 1,800 civil servants, the 794 people at Bermuda Hospitals Board and more than 600 people at Bermuda College, CedarBridge Academy, the Bermuda Housing Corporation and elsewhere.

He has strong concerns about performance related pay currently being pushed by both Government and the private sector, but his is not a confrontational style.

Asked about his relationship with management during his time in charge of the Customs section of his union he said: "It was very, very good. We had a great relationship."

He said his time taught him that a good shop steward should anticipate problems before they even reach management.

He said: "For instance if a fellow has a constant problem with lateness or drunkenness a shop steward should notice that and try to get them back on track before it becomes a problem."

It is a technique he has passed on to other union leaders in teaching sessions and an approach which should characterise his approach to dealing with employers.

The president-elect, who takes over from union stalwart Betty Christopher in April, is also is keen to increase dialogue with the union's 3,100 members by upping the general meetings to every six or seven months.

Globalisation, which threatens to erode union participation as workers compete with those from other countries, is a big challenge said Mr. Pemberton.

He believes that if handled correctly, the issue can help management and unions work together to identify common interests.

The large numbers of temporary staff, around 150, not getting a pension in Government are a worry to him but he hopes Government will rectify this at the end of the month and he cites in increase in personnel announced in the budget as cause for hope.

"It's not as bad as it was years ago when you had people working at the Post Office in temporary posts for 16 to 18 years but not paying into a pension, so you basically got nothing. It's sad."

Like the rest of the country he is keen to know how the new unemployment insurance will work out.

"We like the fact that Government has been proactive, but we want some answers on it."

Mr. Pemberton, a father of three, often looks for answers from a higher source.

Hailing from a religious background he took a break from union activity in the late 1990s to become ordained as a minister of the New Apostolic Church in Southampton.

He said he tries to keep religion and secular matters separate. He added: "That doesn't mean you don't let the Holy Spirit guide you in your day to day living."