officials today to thrash out a new collective agreement.

Teachers have been working without a contract since August 31.

Talks began in September, but were delayed due to major education reform and the illness of senior manager of the Education Department's human resources, Raymond Latter.

Yesterday, BUT president Michael Charles said he was looking forward to the resumption of negotiations.

"Hopefully we will have a good session,'' he said about today's meeting.

Meanwhile, two of several grievances filed by teachers in September have been settled.

The grievances included: a failure to provide the appropriate number of preparation and marking periods for teachers; teachers working in excess of the hours that they were suppose to be on duty; and the Ministry's failure to guarantee the lunch period as provided in the collective bargaining agreement.

BUT general organiser Milton Scott said matters concerning acting pay (when teachers fill in for principals) and sporting leave (when teachers represent Bermuda overseas in sports events) were arbitrated.

The other matters will be dealt with during today's talks.

MAN TOLD TO WATCH LANGUAGE CTS Man told to watch language A Warwick man found out the price of free speech after pleading guilty in Magistrates' Court this week to using offensive and threatening words.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor said Police on mobile patrol saw Robert T.

Brangman, 40, of Middle Road, run a stop sign in Smith's Parish on November 1 at 10 p.m.

Brangman was pulled over in front of Collector's Hill gas station.

Sgt. Taylor said one of the officers asked Brangman for his licence and he became verbally abusive toward them.

Brangman told one officer: "I can't wait until you Barbados blacks get kicked out of here. You dumb sugar cane cutter.'' "When I see you off duty, I'm going to spit in your face,'' he added.

Sgt. Taylor said Brangman was then arrested and taken to Hamilton Police Station where he was charged with offensive words and threatening words.

But in court Brangman said he had not threatened anyone. He claimed he was "only exercising the right to free speech'' by telling the officer what he thought of him.

However, Senior Magistrate Will Francis told Brangman the words he used were offensive and threatening.

Mr. Francis ordered him to pay a $150 fine on each count, totalling $300.

PLEA TO NOT FAX PETITIONS PLN Plea to not fax petitions Objectors to the enlargement of the Vesey Street Equestrian Centre have been asked not to fax their petitions to the Department of Planning.

The Department's fax machine has broken down and will remain that way until next week.

Objection forms printed in Tuesday's edition of The Royal Gazette are only to be faxed to the National Trust Headquaters on 236-0617 or delivered to the Body Shop or Rock Island Coffee.

All objection forms must be faxed or delivered no later than tomorrow.