Ball hopes a solution might be hammered out today.

A mass membership meeting will assess the board's latest offer.

Mr. Ball, who is Bermuda Public Servants Association (BPSA) General Secretary, said: "Hopefully it will be resolved.'' "We are continuing to talk and if we need to we will use arbitration as a means to resolve the issue.'' Early this month the BPSA issued a 21-day strike notice -- even though action could have been taken immediately because lecturing is not an essential service under trade union law.

Lecturers are angry about working without a contract for the last two years.

Mr. Ball said the strike threat let the board know the union were serious as well as giving them time to sit down and negotiate.

He said: "It's certainly brought the parties together.'' Chairman of the Bermuda Board of Governors, Jan Spiering, said he was pleased that a strike had been averted and he said both sides were actively working to conclude the contract.

He said; "As negotiations are continuing, I am not prepared to go into the details relating to the talks.

"However I am pleased we are moving this matter back on track.'' The BPSA were also reluctant to explain what other issues were being discussed.

Mr. Ball said: "Some key issues have been outstanding for a number of years.

Lecturers are not prepared to let them continue.

"All I can say is they relate to work duties.'' The news comes at a critical time as exams are scheduled to start on Friday.

It is thought staff are also unhappy with the lack of direction at the college with some complaining the college was 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.

Ed Ball