Morale at the top echelons of the civil service has been heading south since news emerged last month of the decision to change the duties of four Permanent Secretaries (PS) it has been claimed.

Ed Ball, Secretary General of the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU), which represents Government workers, said yesterday that the changes and the way they were handled had sparked some "uneasiness" among public officers.

Although he could not be specific as to the reasons, Mr. Ball said that the union was investigating the issues.

"The BPSU is always concerned that there be transparency and buy-in by all officers of the civil service because, at the end of the day a strong civil service aids in the various mandates of Ministers in the Government being carried out," Mr. Ball said. "The union represents all members and it is our hope that we will continue to work with the head of the civil service and the secretary to the Cabinet to ensure that these objectives are achieved."

Asked directly whether he could confirm reports that morale had been adversely affected by the changes, he said : "All I can say is that morale is always an issue and certainly with these changes there is naturally uneasiness. The union is presently attempting to investigate these issues such that there can be some restoration of trust to ensure that the service continues to be striving for excellence. It's important that everybody feels confident and are aware of the new civil service initiatives."

Last month VSB News reported that a number of Permanent Secretaries were being shuffled at very short notice and that protests were planned.

Civil service head Stanley Oliver later told the broadcast media that the changes were temporary but last week sent out a press statement which revealed that the moves were permanent and that the senior civil servants were expected to complete their hand-overs and be in their new posts by February.

It is understood that the PSs had balked at being told to start their new duties with just two days' notice and that the February start date was agreed on.

Derrick Binns, currently at the Health Ministry, is being transferred to the Ministry of Works and Engineering and Luelle Todd will be the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Services.

Mrs. Todd has acted as Permanent Secretary for Health on several occasions.

Asked for his reaction to his transfer, Dr. Binns said that he had been hoping for more time in the Ministry of Health and Family Services to complete a number of new initiatives. But he said he was "looking forward to the challenges" in his new posting.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the staff and getting to know the many important projects. And I'm also confident that Mrs. Luelle Todd who has already worked with me on many projects will see them to completion," he said.

Works and Engineering Permanent Secretary Russell Wade will become the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment and Brian Rowlinson will assume the responsibilities of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety, a post currently held by Robert Horton.

Mr. Horton is taking an extended leave in February and no decision has yet been taken on his new posting. In the meantime he will be assisting with ongoing efforts to improve media relations.

"Permanent Secretaries will gain valuable knowledge as a result of having a wide range of experience in different ministries," Mr. Oliver was quoted as saying in the press statement. "This is beneficial to both the Permanent Secretaries and the Ministries. I do appreciate that it will take some time for these Permanent Secretaries to physically relocate; however, every effort must be made, in consultation with their peers, to provide a smooth transition, mindful that the relevant Ministers must be served on a continuous basis."

Mr. Oliver could not be reached for further comment before press-time yesterday.