Customs staff at Bermuda International Airport staged a mystery sick-out yesterday, forcing officers to be drafted in from other parts of the Island.

But Airport General Manager James Howes said it did not take any longer than usual to process passengers

Neither Collector of Customs Winifred Fostine-DeSilva, Bermuda Public Services Union general secretary Ed Ball, or Government's Department of Communication and Information Services returned calls yesterday seeking information about the dispute.

Earlier this month, Labour Relations Officer Arlene Brock met Customs staff to discuss a number of issues, including claims black officers were being denied full promotion.

It is not known if those grievances are connected to yesterday's sick-out at the Airport.

Mr. Howes told The Royal Gazette yesterday that Customs officers drafted in coped well during the two hour rush period at lunchtime when seven flights from Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Toronto and Washington, came in.

“We were told by Customs officials that they had a number of Customs agents called in sick today at the same time and I have no official explanation as to why that would have occurred,” he said.

“However, we were able to make do with supervisory personnel and other agents from other locations across the Island.

“Things went rather well in terms of having all eight booths staffed and lines were no longer than usual.”

Passengers who spoke to The Royal Gazette on arrival said they did not experience problems.