The Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) is about to start negotiating again for better conditions and pay for its members.

General Secretary Michael Charles said he expected discussions with the Ministry of Education to begin in September, even though the teachers' present contract runs out on August 31.

He said although pay would be on the agenda, conditions of working were likely to be a priority, and the new contract would last through to the end of August, 2005.

He said discussions should have started sooner, but with the General Election and annual vacation, it had been delayed.

"Negotiations will begin in September for a whole new agreement and contract of working," said Mr. Charles.

"The Government may have some proposals or things they want to change, and likewise, we will make suggestions.

"We will be talking to the school representatives to find out what the teachers would like us to look at, and there are a couple of other issues I know will come up. And, obviously, we always want more money, but I guess it won't be on the front burner as much as last time."

In February this year, teachers won a long battle for additional cash when Government awarded them a pay increase, which amounted to about seven percent when all aspects of the agreement were taken into consideration.

It was backdated to last September, but at the time, Mr. Charles said it would still not make teachers' pay equal to other civil servants with the same qualifications.

It had followed a turbulent few months which resulted in schools closing down in October last year after teachers went on strike over low pay offers.

The matter came to a head when then Labour and Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister threatened to have striking teachers arrested after an injunction was prepared by the Attorney General's Chambers.

In the end, the Island's 800 public school teachers voted to go back to work but marched on Parliament first to demonstrate their frustration.

The matter was then referred to mandatory arbitration, with February's pay award being binding to both sides.

But Mr. Charles said there were still issues yesterday that needed addressing.

"We still have to look at the situation with the school counsellors," he said.

"Their salaries don't really compare with those employed in other parts of Government. And we need to look at other conditions of work, including health and safety in schools. But then there may be other suggestions from teachers, as well.

"I certainly know one of the things the teachers are concerned about is preparation and planning time for lessons."

Mr. Charles said he always hoped the talks would be swift, but he said they were usually protracted, so he was not expecting an outcome for some months.