The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of educators contesting the upcoming Bahamas Union of Teachers elections say they are concerned that membership dues have gone missing under the watch of union president Belinda Wilson.

Stephen McPhee, who leads the Restoration Alliance, yesterday said his team is greatly alarmed that the rules governing the use of union funds have been disrespected.

It is for that reason, among many others, that the Alliance is calling on the membership of about 4,800 unionists to support it in the lead up to elections.

They officially announced at the Holy Cross activity centre, Soldier Road, that 12 of their representatives will be on the ballots when educators move to elect a new BUT executive board on June 11.

“One of the major concerns of the members,” said Mr McPhee, “that we hear loudly is what might be considered the misuse (or) the mismanagement of union funds at present. We have major concerns (of) the finances of the organisation. Members are still seeking important information on what is being done with their funds and how the funds are being spent.

“As it relates to the finances a number of rules, policies, (and) by-laws come from the constitution of the Bahamas Union of Teachers. These are the policies and procedures that govern how we should conduct business on behalf of the members as it relates to their funds.

“At present there is just blatant disrespect for those rules, by some who presently sit at the executive table.”

And neither is Mr McPhee impressed with how certain union matters have played out in various media reports or that negotiations were as successful as they could have been. He places the blame on the current BUT executive board.

“We are not pleased of what we see in the press and we consider it a poor display of leadership from the present leader of the executive committee.

“If you are going in the public and referring to those who we need to negotiate with (calling) for the firing of them and (calling) them dumb and (being) disrespectful, (and) using profanity whether in house or out of house that is disrespectful.

“When the leader of a trade union is expected to negotiate on the member’s behalf along with the employer, the members expect a certain level of diplomacy.”

The Alliance, if elected, plans to improve the economic benefits of union members and to seek government action on several benefits that were promised in collective bargaining agreement which expires in June. 

The Tribune placed several calls to BUT president Belinda Wilson’s cellphone. On one of the three occasions a voice mail was sent. Upon calling the union building, this newspaper was told that Ms Wilson would be out of office until next week.