UNION negotiators have met with the Bermuda College to thrash out an agreement following a dispute over the political ambitions of a College staff member.

The Bermuda Public Services Union was called in after the College ruled that Gina Spence Farmer, who works as an activities co-ordinator at the facility, would not be given time off work to represent the Opposition United Bermuda Party in the Senate.

The decision was ratified by the College's Board of Governors. The board's chairman, Raymond Tannock, sits in the Upper House as a Government Senator.

Despite the College's stance, Mrs. Spence Farmer was formally appointed a UBP Senator on Tuesday. It is still not known whether she will be able to represent the Opposition in the Senate without giving up her College position.

Last week BPSU general Secretary Ed Ball, Jr. said the union "fully intends to explore every avenue at its disposal in order to represent our member and bring about a resolution that is satisfactory to all parties".

And last night he confirmed that talks had taken place, although he did not go into detail.

Mr. Ball told the Mid-Ocean News: "The union has sat with the Bermuda College in terms of going over all the policies and collective agreement as it pertains to all employees at the Bermuda College.

"With respect to Mrs. Spence Farmer she will be treated as an ordinary employee and any leave that she requires or requests will go through the usual route at the Bermuda College.

"That is from my concern that she be treated as an employee and that we follow the collective agreement, the employment contract, the act itself and the rules and regulations of the Bermuda College."

Last night a spokeswoman for the Bermuda College said it would be inappropriate to comment while negotiations were still underway.