The Bermuda College is facing strike action from lecturers, The Royal Gazette has learned.

A 21-day strike notice has been handed to College authorities by the lecturers last week. Reports reaching The Royal Gazette indicate that lecturers are upset over not having a current contract.

New College Board chairman Jan Spiering confirmed there was unrest at the College, but he could not say what exactly it was about.

"We've only recently heard about it,'' he said. "The executive is meeting with the union and discussions are ongoing. It's very early days.'' "There's been nothing specific.. and until such time as there's clarity on the issues we have nothing to say.'' But The Royal Gazette understands that the lecturers' agreement is two years overdue for renewal and negotiations to establish new terms have broken down.

The strike notice was served last Friday.

The news adds to reports last week of a slump in morale among teachers and support staff at the college.

Discontent has centred around an uncertain management structure and a lack of direction.

College staffers also said that a "fear factor'' was pervading the campus.

Union representatives have been meeting with College workers who have been complaining about what they see as stalling in the search for a new president.

College authorities have embarked on a two-stage process to replace retired president George Cook.

First, an interim president will be selected and serve a three-year contract before a permanent replacement is installed.

But College staff told The Royal Gazette last week that they do not understand why the Governing Board does not seek a permanent replacement immediately.

Mr. Spiering said then that he was confident that the situation would improve once the position was filled.

He said that matters were exacerbated by an undermanned executive. But he threw his support behind the current leadership.

In the past year, the College has lost its vice president Donald Peters, president Dr. George Cook, who retired, and Board Chairman Randy Horton.

The strike notice is the first major crisis faced by the new Governing Board.

But acting president Larita Alford said that current discussions to resolve what she said was "their dissatisfaction with some items'' were taking place in a productive climate.

Asked whether there were any signs that the dispute will be resolved anytime soon, Ms Alford would only say: "We're talking.'' It is also understood that College students are circulating a petition to protest a change in the way exams are conducted.

"The exams are going to be done in the gym,'' said one member of staff who did not want to be named. "And the students are protesting that.'' The Royal Gazette understands that the student protest has been ongoing for a few weeks. College exams have in the past been conducted in the classrooms.

UNIONS UNS