to end the teachers strike by referring it to binding arbitration after five hours of talks failed yesterday.

And BUT president Anthony Wolffe refused to rule out further strikes and a widening of the dispute.

Education Minister Milton Scott said there had been some consensus, but attempts to solve the dispute had been unsuccessful.

A Labour Relations Officer had then been brought in to mediate but the matter was referred to binding arbitration when this foundered.

However, the teachers' union left open the possibility of further action after it accused Government of planning to refer the matter all along.

A statement from the BUT said: "It would seem the rights of unionised workers are under siege.

"As a member of the Bermuda Trade Union Congress, the BUT would be seeking the support of its sister unions as they attempt to bring about a resolution to this matter.'' Sen. Scott said: "I want to ensure schools don't suffer any further disruption and that when parents leave home to drop their kids at school they are not concerned about going back to pick them up during the day.'' The Ministry of Education had to close four schools and two preschools by noon yesterday after the BUT told staff there to call in, claiming they were ill in an action known as a sick-out.

Parents were asked to collect their kids from West End Primary, Port Royal Primary, Victor Scott Primary, Spice Valley Middle School, Southampton Preschool and St. John's Preschool.

Southampton Preschool head Laverne Lau had her entire staff of three ring in sick before she set off for school which has 30 children.

She said: "When I got there I gave parents the option of leaving their kids with me but they opted to take them.'' She also had problems contacting parents to ask them to pick up their children at lunchtime.

Explaining why it had been necessary to strike, BUT general secretary Michael Charles said: "Teachers wanted to show their frustration. They didn't want to disrupt the entire Island. "Teachers have put up with this long enough.

Nothing else seems to be working. We don't glory or take any pleasure in this action.'' He said teachers wanted to stick to the agreement of spending a maximum of 25 hours a week on teaching and other specified activities which include team meetings, pre-school and post-school activities, including school bus clubs.

It would leave the remaining ten hours of their working week to be spent on grading work, staff meetings, and preparing lessons.

Mr. Charles explained: "Lesson planning takes time. Teachers spend their weekend doing this when most people are sleeping or having a good time.

"Since the restructuring of the school system the 25 hours has become a problem, especially in middle schools. We keep mentioning it to the Ministry but they are either too busy or they hope it will go away.

"I don't think teachers have done it simply because of this.'' He said teachers were partly blamed for illiteracy rates and they were tired of dealing with society's problems without proper resources.

"They do extra curricula activities, but some are owed money from two terms ago. We are also working without an agreement,'' Mr. Charles pointed out.

EDUCATION ED