following a dispute over teaching hours.

After a day of arbitration, Bermuda Union of Teachers general secretary Mike Charles said: "We are now awaiting the report.'' The hearing, under Postmaster General Clevelyn Crichlow, was held and concluded yesterday.

He was drafted in after last month's job action closed all but two Government schools when BUT chiefs instructed its 600 or so members to call in sick.

Education Minister Milton Scott said a binding arbitration hearing would be held -- but offered the olive branch of an option for voluntary arbitration.

Teachers agreed to end industrial action and overwhelmingly backed a voluntary process.

EDUCATION ED