teachers as political wrangling and blackmail.

A letter to Education Minister Jerome Dill from Bermuda Union of Teachers president Michael Charles claims that a trio of issues teachers feel are important have not been dealt with in more than ten years.

Furthermore the letter states that the BUT's membership has called for members of the Legislature to be surveyed as to their opinion on the issues and for the results of the survey to be published prior to the upcoming General Election.

Education Minister Jerome Dill: "I recognise a General Election is looming but that is no reason to politicise education.

"If the leadership of the BUT chooses to politicise education then all they are doing is a tremendous disservice to the young people of the Country. It is not necessary.'' Mr. Dill stressed that the issues highlighted by Mr. Charles had been dealt with.

"There are three issues referred to and each issue has been addressed in the collective bargaining/negotiation phases.'' Mr. Charles' letter listed the issues as; Teachers have the option of retiring at age 55; Teacher/Parent Conference days be scheduled during each term; and Records day being set aside each term during the year.

And Mr. Dill said the issues had been dealt with by arbitrators in 1991 and 1998 and rejected. He declined to discuss arbitration details.

"Michael Charles and Milton Scott (the BUT's general secretary and Progressive Labour Party Senate leader) have gotten answers that they don't like and they see it as an opportunity to score some cheap political points which is regrettable.'' The issue of retirement, he added, was a matter for the Ministry of Finance, not the Ministry of Education.

Mr. Charles had sent a similar letter to every Member of the House, continued Mr. Dill, in an effort to hold the issues over their heads during the election.

"I know I speak for everyone on the Government side when I say this is a transparent and shameful attempt at blackmail.'' EDUCATION ED