Civil Servants union leader Edward Ball has called for customs head Winifred Fostine-DeSilva to make it clear why local candidates had failed after another foreigner has been given a top post.

The Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) general secretary hit back at a broadcast news report in which Collector of Customs head Winifred Fostine-DeSilva had said locals were passing up opportunities for learning. Recently Canadian Joan Crown replaced James Dumont as assistant collector in the eastern division, leading to disappointment within the ranks.

Mr. Ball said: "Some experienced customs officers have been to Rigaud College in Canada for specialised customs training, interdiction and other operational courses as well as training with US customs.

"If we want to promote Bermudians and they are preparing themselves, getting masters degrees and taking courses in whatever but still deemed not suitable then tell them what's wrong so they can deal with their weaknesses so they can have a better chance next time.

"In order to eliminate bias we need to find out what's taken place, otherwise we will always have this problem."

He said in January 2001 local Lucinda Pearman and Canadian customs officer Larry Conn had both been appointed to the same post of Assistant Collector of Customs handling commercial operations with Mr. Conn on a two-year contract. He said Ms Pearman should have been sent away for training and experience while Mr. Conn would have brought valuable knowledge to the island.

Instead he said the taxpayer had to foot two bills. Mrs. Pearman now has the job but she has been attacked in a letter given to The Royal Gazette claiming to come from 16 customs officers.

Mr. Ball gave no credence to the letter which was unsigned.

But he said bosses needed to balance those who had experience and those who have academic experience but no qualified work experience.

He said: "Unions insist that collective bargaining agreements include reference to an equivalent clause in job advertisements that take into consideration the academic qualification and/or work experience."

He said there were communication issues with management which the union would be working to address. "While we agree that it is always good to upgrade skills, academia is not the only method. In many European countries on the job training is key to ensuring courses are specific to the practical needs of the business."