Union leaders have reacted with cynicism after Premier Ewart Brown again urged them to exhaust dialogue before resorting to strikes.

Dr. Brown made the call in a speech to Progressive Labour Party delegates on Wednesday night and followed it up with hints about extending laws which outlaw wildcat strikes to teachers and transport workers.

Reacting yesterday Bermuda Union of Teachers leader Mike Charles said: "I don't know what this thing is about, we have always been willing to sit down and talk.

"In a dispute there are two sides, it seems teachers are being blamed for reacting to situations.

"I just want to remind everyone and the Premier – look at the arbitration rulings where we have had to engage in industrial action, you will see the arbitrators have ruled in our favour.So who is irresponsible here?"

He would not be drawn into discussion about the Premier's suggestion about extending the 21-day strike notice rules to teachers.

Under the Labour Relations Act workers who must submit to a cooling-off period before striking include electricity and gas workers, nurses and hospital staff, fire fighters, communication workers and dockers.

Mr. Charles said:"That is something that when it is floated we will deal with, right now Iam not even worried about that."

Over the summer Government clashed with all the major unions resulting in a march on Parliament by thousands of workers frustrated over stalled pay talks.

Bermuda Public Services Union leader Ed Ball said his union was always willing to talk and consult.

But he added:"Consultation doesn't mean calling up the union beforehand to inform them of what is going to take place.

"No one wants industrial action, so if we are going to participate in the growth of Bermuda all unions should be considered partners, equal to employers and exempt companies, not as an after thought."

Bermuda Trades Union Congress president Anthony Wolffe said the Premier was saying nothing new and the need for dialogue with Government was well understood.

Mr. Wolffe said Government often pulled out of scheduled meetings with the teachers – either not showing up or not sending a full team.

Probed on a tightening of the law Mr. Wolffe said:"We will have to deal with that when it comes to it, we won't go on the premise that this is going to happen."