Teachers could face arrest if they continue to strike and defy the law after Government filed a writ yesterday.

Labour Minister Terry Lister said an injunction being prepared in the Attorney General's chambers would give power of arrest.

Asked for details he told The Royal Gazette: "You will have to go to my colleagues in the Attorney General's department. Once an injunction is filed they take over from there.

"It's in their hands and the DPP's hands to make sure its applied. It gives powers of arrest."

Mr. Lister stressed he wanted to get teachers around the table talking rather than continuing to break the Trade Disputes Act by striking. He said: "I don't want to arrest anyone, that's the last thing I want to do."

Bermuda Union of Teachers Michael Charles said: "I don't know anything about an injunction." And Mr. Charles gave the same response when asked if Government lawyers had served any papers.

Asked if teachers were ready to be arrested Mr. Charles said: "Teachers have made a decision and they know the ramifications of it.

"I guess you would have to talk to teachers to find out if they are ready for that. I can't speak for 800 odd people."

On Monday Government invoked the Trade Disputes Act which sets up a mandatory arbitration tribunal which makes industrial action illegal.

Mr. Lister said the arbitration could work in the teachers favour.

"They may well have great success in the arbitration. It's in their best interests to start preparing for the arbitration, go to the arbitration and make their case."

Mr. Lister appeared to rule out teacher sackings even though he admitted there was no sign the teachers were backing down.

He said: "It would inflame the situation. My intention is to bring people together, not find ways to wrench them further apart."

He said he had not heard from the teachers yesterday.

More than 800 teachers in the island's public schools have been out since Monday and yesterday the Cabinet met to discuss the crisis.

The strike is still solid despite but teachers are feeling the financial pinch after being docked for each day they miss, said Mr. Charles.

Teachers are now preparing to demonstrate on the grounds of the Cabinet lawns tomorrow.

He said a tentative approval had been granted. He said: "By their actions teachers hope to make a statement to the public and government."

He said the teachers would definitely be on strike today after a mass meeting held at Devonshire Rec yesterday showed willingness to fight on.

Asked how long teachers the strike could last Mr. Charles said: "That depends on the membership. They decided what we do. As long as they decide they will go.

"As far as I know the strike is as solid as yesterday and the day before."

Bermuda Employers Council Executive Director Andrea Mowbray said to minimise disruption some companies have been encouraging "kiddie pools" in which certain mums were designated to stay at home with the children of colleagues said Ms Mowbray. Opposition Education Spokesman Tim Smith said Government had failed to get a grip on teachers unrest which had been bubbling since 1998.

"In this term alone, our children have already lost five days of schooling. I am also concerned about the safety and protection of our children as they wander the streets.

He said parents who couldn't afford to take time off from work were leaving their children unsupervised. "I am concerned for those children who are home alone. These children are vulnerable."

Teachers are striking for parity pay with similarly qualified Government professionals.

On the pay talks Mr. Smith said lower paid teachers should get up to a 12 percent pay rise while teachers at the higher end of the scale might settle for an amount nearer three percent.

"We make this proposal in the interest of seeing our children back in school and the two sides return to the bargaining table," said Mr. Smith.