President of the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) Derrick Burgess made a rare appearance to the appointment of a top civil servant yesterdat to show his approval at the appointment of a Bermudian to a top Civil Service post.

Following the introduction of Francis Richardson as the new director designate for the Department of Marine and Ports, Derrick Burgess said he hoped the show of unity between Government and labour would assure Marine and Ports rank and file that the two sides were committed to open channels of communication.

"We thought it important that the BIU be here," he said. "The whole Union is proud and happy that he has got to this position. He has prepared himself for this for 25 years, having started in the ranks of Marine and Ports."

In the wake of the recent march on Parliament by 1,500 union members due to tensions between Government, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown echoed his Mr. Burgess' sentiments.

"Government and the union have some things in common, but there are also time when we disagree" Dr. Brown said. "However, we acknowledge the occasions when we are proud of our accomplishments."

The Directors post was vacated by Ron Ross last month and it is expected that Mr. Richardson will make the transition to Director when he has completed an unspecified amount of training time.