Teachers accused Government of playing hardball after school principals put round memos urging them not to work to rule yesterday.

However teachers have remained defiant and will continue their action which will cancel today's Terra Nova tests.

The industrial action began in Government schools yesterday in anger over months of failed pay talks.

Bermuda Union of Teachers General Secretary Mike Charles said: "They sent out something to the principals directing them to direct the teachers to do all they have done in the past, contrary to what we have told the teachers.

"Most teachers consider it a threat to their jobs directing them to carry out duties in accordance with their job descriptions such as lunch duties and bus duties.

"But we don't have any job descriptions, it's ridiculous.

"There is no way anyone can show a job description. They don't get one when they get a job.

"We have just developed one but it hasn't come into affect yet."

The Ministry released a statement last night saying it is "concerned" about the work to rule and is "requiring" staff to perform duties such as supervising at lunch and recess;bus duties; being responsible and accessible to parents; and attending team meetings to discuss concerns of individual students.

Mr. Charles said the attempt to force teachers to abandon the work to rule had not worked.

"For the most part teachers are holding their own," said Mr. Charles although he said many teachers had called for clarification about the situation.

"Teachers have voted to do this work-to-rule; they are carrying out their own mandate."

He slammed Government for its hardline stance.

"Instead of trying to solve the situation that's brought us to this point, we get this type of behaviour. It just shows the kind of thinking this ministry has."

The teachers had wanted the situation solved as quickly as possible said Mr. Charles, rather than continue confrontation.

In a press release the BUT said: "In this course of action teachers will not be conducting activities such as custodial care and invigilation of examinations.

"In the first instance examinations that will not be invigilated by union members are the Terra Nova Assessment.

"In an effort not to cause stress to parents, we wish to inform the public these assessments in no way impede upon the success of children in schools at any level.

"They are diagnostic tests which are used to compare students and schools on the Island to each other and to their counterparts in the United States.

"As a responsible union, we recognised our commitment to our clients, the students of Bermuda and it is not our intention to disrupt their learning or success, unless it is a last resort.

"We do hope that you, as workers like ourselves, will support us in our endeavour to make our rights and privileges as teachers become a reality."

The teachers last pay deal expired on August 31 last year but months of talks have got nowhere and the union claim the Government had gone back on a formula to help grade jobs similar to those in the civil service.

The Education Ministry statement last night said: "The Ministry regrets that talks have not proceeded at the pace acceptable to all parties.

"However, there is an established set of rules and regulations that govern the Ministry in its discussions with the teachers' union.

"That process must be allowed to continue. Therefore the Ministry is calling on all teachers who are currently engaged in the work to rule to be guided by their job responsibilities and ensure they do not compromise the safety, security and education of the students in their care."The Ministry said the tests were important in providing a "report card" to hold the Ministry and schools accountable.

"System wide results play an increasingly important role in the Bermuda Educational Strategic Teams (BEST) plans to continue the improvements to the quality of public education."Talks with Government are planned for Thursday.

In 2002 year teachers went on a strike and were then given an average seven percent pay hike but the union had said there was still some way to go until teachers got parity with other Government professionals. Currently a new teacher starts off on a salary of about $51,000 a year.