Concerned parents are set to march on Cabinet today as teachers in the public school system enter the second week of industrial action in a bid for higher pay.

But Government dug in its heels yesterday, taking out a newspaper ad to promote its position and warning parents to be prepared for potential sick-outs this week.

Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Mike Charles told that a meeting between the BUT and PTA members from middle and primary schools saw parents coming out in full support of teachers.

Today, national PTA president Wendy Augustus is expected to lead the parents in the march before the 10 a.m. Cabinet session.

After yesterday?s meeting, during which teachers presented their position, Mr. Charles said parents felt teachers were getting ?the raw deal? from Government.

?After listening to our side of the story the parents came out in full support of the BUT,? he said.

The meeting last night was organised by the BUT and included officials from the Bermuda Trade Union Congress and Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess.

Mr. Charles said the tone of the meeting was one of surprise when parents learned how much teachers were paid.

Once the teachers presented their proposal to parents Mr. Charles said parents expressed disbelief that Government had reneged on its recommended pay agreement.

?They were surprised that Government would give its word and take it back. Most parents also feel that teachers are underpaid and have expressed concerns that teachers deserve everything they get and more,? he said.

Last week, after months of failed pay talks, teachers took a work to rule action, meaning they will not conduct custodial duties such as supervising lunch and recess and even supervising exams.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Education warned parents of possible sick outs which may take place at selected schools over the next couple of days. A press release sent out by Government?s Department of Communication and Information stated: ?While unfortunate, the Ministry would like to inform parents to have alternative arrangements for their children just in case. This is an effort to minimise inconvenience.

?Moreover, the Ministry of Education and Development would like to inform all teachers that any illness, irrespective of length, must be accompanied by a doctor?s certificate.?

The Bermuda Union of Teachers told last week that Government, at the last minute, said teachers should be paid pro rata with 15 percent knocked off to reflect their long holidays ? a move which the union said goes against the aims of interest based bargaining. A proposal presented by the Ministry in today?s paper offers teachers 85 percent of the salary of a civil servant. The Government proposal compares the number of days a year teachers work to civil servants and outlines teacher?s leave entitlement compared to that of civil servants.

According to the calculations, a teacher works 200 days a year against the 260 days worked by civil servants .

The Ministry is proposing teachers be paid $55,696 compared to the $65,525 salary earned by civil servants.

Mr. Charles said after 20 meetings held between autumn last year and April this year, a formula linking teachers? pay to certain civil servants grades had been worked out.

The deal would have seen graduate teachers with two years? experience get more than $65,000 a year, up from $54,093, while those with five years? experience would get more than $70,000.

Yesterday, parents of students in public schools said they sympathise with teachers work to rule action, however, they are calling on both parties to resolve the issue for the sake of their children?s educations.

One mother said she has a job with flexible hours and has been available to help with lunch and recess duty.

?I?m for the teachers 100 percent, but it will be stressful for parents who do not work flexible jobs,? she said. ?Ultimately, it will be the kids who are the ones who are impacted. I will go out of my way to do what I can for my child and other children, but other parents cannot afford to be so accommodating.?

A shift worker with a six-year-old son at Northlands said he could not be so accommodating. He said: ?The kids are the ones who suffer. What needs to happen is for Government and teachers to come to a resolution. I understand where teachers are coming from but many parents like myself, who work demanding jobs, would not be able to help out so frequently.?

Education Minister Terry Lister announced yesterday that he would meet with PTA heads to present the Ministry?s position on Wednesday.