Public school teachers will today learn what pay rise they are to get after two years without an increase.

The decision by an arbitration panel called in to resolve a long-running dispute between Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Ministry of Education will be revealed this morning.

Teachers are asked to attend the Berkeley Institute at 11 a.m. to find out if they will receive the 4.5 percent rise for two years that union leaders claim they were promised.

Pay talks broke down earlier this year when the BUT rejected a final offer from government for 4.5 percent for the first year and four percent for the second.

Union president Lisa Trott told The Royal Gazette last night: "We have received our (pay) award and teachers will be told what it is tomorrow." She said the meeting would be closed but the union would release the panel's decision immediately afterwards.

Lawyer Larry Scott, who chaired the tribunal panel, said: "I have submitted my report to the Minister and it is now up to the Minister to do with the report as he wishes. I wouldn't comment on the contents of it. My panel has signed off and the Minister has the document in his possession."

Mr. Scott said the panel's decision was binding as both parties had agreed to the arbitration.

The Ministry of Education did not respond to a request for information by press time last night.