Police morale is plummeting and sickness levels are reaching intolerable levels according to one officer.

The Royal Gazette understands Police are unhappy with the shift system and want to work longer hours over fewer days.

The officer said: "Sickness levels are intolerable and staff morale is intolerable. In the Police Commissioner's own words the shift system is archaic."

He said the current system had officers working seven days of nights followed by two days off. Then seven day shifts with two days off and then seven late shifts with two days off.

Officers are also given an additional rest day but given no choice when it can be taken.

The source said: "It might not fit in with your family or social circumstances."

He added that officers believed a new system could improve Police performance and better address the needs of the public as well as improve force morale.

Officers have also been working without a contract since the last one expired in January. Talks with Government are scheduled soon.

A spokesman for the Police Service said: "The dialogue between management and the Bermuda Police Association on the shift system will continue.

"There is no information available to suggest there has been a rise in sickness levels but a number of officers on long term sick leave has an impact on our operational strength."

Police Officers Association Assistant Secretary P.c. David Kinnersley refused to discuss the shift system but said preliminary talks had been held with Government over a new contract.

He said: "We have met to discuss ground rules for negotiations. We're in the process of putting together our proposals and hopefully we'll meet soon."

Elsewhere on the labour front, air traffic controllers will enter into mediation in their dispute with bosses BAS/Serco next week.

They put their employers on a 21-day strike notice earlier this month after losing patience over two years of stalled pay talks.

Acting Labour and Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Marlene Christopher said the two sides would meet with labour relations officers.

If talks fail the issue must then go to permanent arbitration because air traffic control is an essential service.

BAS/Serco contracts manager Richard Savard said: "We continue to work with the Bermuda Public Services Union to resolve this issue."

Meanwhile the Bermuda Industrial Union is suing BAS-Serco Ltd. The union issued a writ on Tuesday.

The union had been at loggerheads with the company for years over union recognition for airport fire fighters.

Mr. Savard said he believed it was a counter gambit by the union as the two sides prepare for a Supreme Court battle at the end of the month.

Mr. Savard was reluctant to give details about the court fight. He said: "We are seeking clarification on a point of law."

BIU President Derrick Burgess is off the Island. General Secretary Molly Burgess said she was unaware of the BIU writ while the union's lawyer Delroy Duncan failed to return calls.

Ms Christopher also she said talks were still going on between between labour relations officers, nurses and the Bermuda Hospitals Board over a new pay deal.

A deal must be reached by Thursday or else the matter will go to permanent binding arbitration.

Acting Home Affairs and Labour Relations Minister Col. David Burch said people had been approached to sit on the arbitration panel if it needed to be set up.

"But at this stage people are still talking," he said.