MORE trouble may be brewing between the Ministry of Education and public school teachers, as the Bahamas Union of Teachers is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting early this week.
As the BUT’s dispute with Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald over money owed to teachers continues, the union also announced that its “work to rule” action throughout New Providence will continue for the third consecutive week.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday at 4pm at Walkers Hall, Bethel Avenue, Stapledon Gardens.
“All members are asked to attend,” said BUT president Belinda Wilson. “Important matters to be discussed.”
This comes after more than 200 teachers marched on Rawson Square last Wednesday to protest the delayed payment of teachers and a number of other issues.
The BUT used the opportunity to renew its calls for Minister Fitzgerald’s dismissal, with Mrs Wilson describing him as “very disrespectful to teachers in his public statements.”
“There are so many problems that we have that the minister refuses to get to the table and deal with,” she said. “We have been in and out of the Department of Labour, in meetings with the Minister of Labour, the Prime Minister, and we feel as though we’re not getting anywhere with our complaints.”
Mr Fitzgerald, for his part, has refused to back down, recently warning that teachers who do not participate in after school activities will have their pay cut and be “replaced if need be”.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 11 years, 1 month ago
Ms Wilson, the govt is strapped. You may have legitimate demands but it is ludicrous for you to expect the govt to meet all of them in one fell swoop if they involve the outlay of money.
Why can't you act like a union head, communicate with the minister, i.e. speak, listen, hear and come up with the list of all of your demands, the target resolution dates for each and the lead measures?
Do all of your members have such a list with agreed dates or are they being riled up solely on your say so?
John 11 years, 1 month ago
hOW MANY FEEL bELINDA wILSON HAS ERODED HER POPULARITY WITH THESE NEVER ENDING PROTESTS AND 'ITCHING WITH THE GOVERNMENT? Especially since she brags about how many Ministers of Eduation she has railroaded and saddled.
rony 11 years, 1 month ago
Just pay the teachers man! They worked for the money just pay the people man. I know the MP are not owed anything.
countryfirst 11 years, 1 month ago
Ms. Wilson should get her members to concentrate on educating our kids.Raises should be based on performance when the kids grades go up then I would be with the teachers asking for more money,but with these low grades they should probably get a pay cut.
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