Labour Minister Terry Lister has urged teachers and education staff to build trust as they enter mediation over their pay dispute.

Mr. Lister said the talks, expected to last all week, could help provide the groundwork for dialogue for other challenges in the education system.

He said: “Parts of the curriculum are still being worked on and when the new senior school comes along there will be a need to get it running properly.

“There will be a need for different types of teachers with trade skills. We have a busy future so let's make it a success with teachers and the Ministry working together not butting heads.”

Teachers went on strike at schools across the Island in recent weeks. Mr. Lister said he respected their right to strike in a bid to strengthen their hand.

Mr. Lister said he hoped teachers and education chiefs could break the deadlock in mediation without having to go to binding arbitration.

Nurses will meet tonight to hear their new pay award hammered out at arbitration talks.

Bermuda Public Services Union leader Edward Ball Jnr. would not comment about the decision ahead of the meeting at the union's H.Q. at 5.15 p.m.

The binding award followed discussions chaired by Senator Alfred Oughton, former tourism director Gary Philips and lawyer Keren Lomas concluded the week before last.

Now well into its second week the bus dispute which has seen minibuses take people to Dockyard is still continuing.

Drivers say the road into Dockyard is dangerously narrow. Government has sanctioned plans to make Pender Road one-way going into Dockyard with a revamped Freeport Drive for outward bound traffic.

But the plans have been amended by the Bermuda Industrial Union whose drivers took the action by stopping buses at Watford Bridge.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott said: “It's based on what we suggested and I accept their amendments so I think everyone will be satisfied.

“I have known negotiations between countries over nuclear war to take less attention. But suffice to say the end result will be something we can live with.”

The Minister said he hoped for an agreement this week.