the 2,500-member civil servants' union.

She toppled Mr. Stephen Emery by just two votes in the struggle for the Bermuda Public Services Association post.

But Ms Bailey will have to wait until March 10 or 11 to officially take over from Mr. Emery -- president for the last two years.

That is when the union's 45 delegates hold their conference.

Last night Ms Bailey, of Crawl Hill, Hamilton Parish, exclaimed: "I'm elated.

I'm on top of the world.

"It was tense -- very nerve-wracking.'' Yesterday's secret ballot election was the first time union members had the opportunity to vote.

Up to now only the organisation's 45 delegates could vote.

Of the 978 votes cast, Ms Bailey captured 489, and Mr. Emery 487. There were two spoilt ballots.

Ms Bailey, 53, said she had been confident of victory -- and was surprised at how close the count was.

"I thought opening the vote up to the membership helped me tremendously,'' she said.

Ms Bailey has stood before for president and works at the Ministry of Youth and Sport. She is executive secretary to Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon.