Teachers could sue Government over pay docked in strikes last year.

They have been angered that prison officers have been treated differently and won't lose out despite ignoring an injunction banning them from striking.

Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) lawyer Alan Dunch said: "I have received instructions from the BUT to look into the issue of whether or not withholding pay was lawful.

"I anticipate being in a position to give advice on that when I meet the executive committee on June 10."

He said if he found it unlawful he would recommend getting the money recouped, including taking the case to the Supreme Court.

Teachers began an Island-wide strike last October which lasted a week despite the dispute being referred to binding arbitration on the first day which made further action illegal.

Late last month prison officers walked out and were also served with an injunction on the evening of the first day but their action continued for another three days.

Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Brian Rowlinson said: "I can confirm that the Ministry has been advised to pay the prison officers who went on strike."

Prison Officers Association spokesman Russ Ford said recently the money had been promised by Premier Jennifer Smith and Attorney General Dame Lois Browne Evans.

BUT General Secretary Mike Charles said of the different treatment: "It raises concerns. It was discussed at our executive meeting yesterday."

He said teachers had not been not paid for all time lost during the strike - even for the Island-wide strike the day before it was referred to arbitration or for localised strikes before it escalated.

Mr. Charles said: "We felt it was harsh but it happened. Some teachers lost six days, some lost seven days."

One teacher rang The Royal Gazette yesterday to complain about the uneven handling of the two disputes.

She said: "I am extremely annoyed. We didn't want to lose pay but we stood up for what we believed in a struggle to make things better.

"Some teachers missed out on college payments and mortgage payments. Some teachers lost up to $1,500 in pay.

"Right is right. If they are going to be paid, we should be paid. If they are not going to pay us they (the prison officers) should lose their money as well.

"Sometimes in a struggle for a better thing you have to sacrifice and lose things."

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: "We can't adopt double standards in negotiating with civil servants. Fair is fair, what you do for one you have to do for the other.

"When you have a knee-jerk reaction and poor planning it leads to problems."

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Teachers get ready for new round of pay negotiations: Page 8