Leleath Bailey is to push ahead with her bid to become first vice-president of the Bermuda Public Services Association (BPSA) despite pressure to stand down from Head of the Civil Service Stanley Oliver.

Mr. Oliver wrote to BPSA general secretary Edward Ball saying that Mrs. Bailey was bound by a contract to `not get involved in such matters'.

He wrote: "She is in a very small department with another officer of the civil service and a consultant."

He added: "I have met with her on more than one occasion and find it hard to believe that she would put her name forward under such circumstances."

Bermuda Industrial Union leader Derrick Burgess said he had written to Mr. Oliver pointing out that his stance was against the Constitution and labour relations law. He said: "He can't do that, it's an offence for employers to try and stop workers from standing for office. It's against human rights." Mrs. Bailey, former BPSA president, said: "I am continuing to stand. As a matter of fact my flyers are out. But I would rather not get into it at the moment."

Mr. Ball and Mr. Oliver both refused to comment about the matter.

Mrs. Bailey held the first vice-presidency post between 1998 and 2000 and was president of the white collar union, which has around 3,000 members, between 1994 and 1998.

Mrs. Bailey, who works in parliamentary registration, said she would be seeking to coordinate the union's divisions in order to ensure better representation. Also running for the post are Immigration clerk Debbie Kay-Martin and Allan Roberts, who works at the Post Office.

The first round of voting takes place on January 31 for those who will be away from the Island for the main vote on February 7.