At least four teachers did not receive paycheques this September - because of an apparent mix-up between two Government bodies.

And more teachers have not received pay increments or pay for additional positions from the Ministry of Education for September.

The pay blunder - in the month which began with the devastation to homes and properties by Hurricane Fabian - has sparked fury among union leaders.

"It is an unacceptable situation," said Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Michael Charles.

"We've been told it was because of a mix-up between the Ministry (of Education) and the Accountant General's office."

Of his 800-strong union, he said there were teachers who had received letters stating they had gained posts of responsibility in addition to their teaching duties - but at the end of September they were not paid for those positions.

There were also teachers who were due to receive pay increments which were not reflected on their September paycheque and, worst of all, he personally knew of at least four new teachers who had not been paid at all for September.

A teacher in his first year of teaching with a Bachelor's degree will receive $3,800-$4,000 per month in Government salary, he said, and those with a Master's degree received more.

"They work and they expect to get paid ... It's very difficult when the time comes and that doesn't happen.

"It causes quite a lot of stress. There are quite a few teachers affected by this.

"People found out at the end of September, over the weekend.

"It's very difficult at the end of the month to tell your landlord you didn't get paid when they see you going to work every day."

The Ministry of Education had tried to be helpful, he said, explaining that if teachers needed letters to explain the situation to landlords or banks etc., then the Ministry had said it was willing to provide them.

"But in the long run it is a difficult situation when you expect your money. It's already a long time coming."

And, on top of it all, the Ministry has been unable to say when the teachers will be paid.

"Up until Thursday and Friday of last week there was no word as to when they will be paid. That is even more distressing."

The teachers' union has had talks with the Ministry's financial department, which in turn has had talks with the Accountant General's office, he said.

"We're hoping something can be done soon. There's no way they can expect people to go through another month with no money."