Talks between teachers and education officials over a new collective agreement broke down yesterday.

The Royal Gazette has learned that teachers were seeking a pay increase and benefits similar to that recently granted to Government white collar workers.

The Bermuda Public Service Association and Government agreed to a raise of 2.98 percent for the next two years and several other benefits, including an extra day for leave.

Teachers were also believed to have asked for an extra day. But their proposal was denied.

Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Milton Scott yesterday said: "We met with Government's negotiating team which has dwindled from five to two who were present today.

"But they said Government is not prepared to acquiesce to what we considered reasonable requests.'' The union will therefore send off information to Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, asking for the matter to go to arbitration.

The BUT executive also plan to meet today to decide when they will meet with the full membership.

Teachers have been working without a contract since August 31, last year.

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.

Negotiations resumed in November and continued regularly until the Christmas break.