The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LAWYERS representing Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson and treasurer Lorraine Knowles delivered an ultimatum to BUT’s executive council yesterday: rescind the suspension of the pair by 5pm or face legal action.

A letter seen by The Tribune that was sent to BUT Secretary General John Musgrove alleged that not only were Mrs Wilson and Mrs Knowles illegally suspended from the union on December 18, 2014, but the executive committee prejudiced the appeals process against the pair as well.

The threat of legal action came as the executive committee granted an extension to an appeals committee appointed more than a week ago to either uphold or overturn the suspensions.

Mrs Wilson was suspended for six months and Ms Knowles was suspended for three months.

The three member appeals committee was appointed on January 8 and was expected to give a verdict no later than midnight Sunday.

Acting BUT President Zane Lightbourne declined to discuss the constitutionality of the extension yesterday as union officials sought to minimise the public statements they make about the process.

However, he said: “We are being as accommodating as possible.”

He also acknowledged that the committee received a letter from the lawyers of the suspended BUT members, although it did not appear that the committee was prepared to reverse the suspension by the 5pm deadline.

The letter signed by the law firm Bootle-Williams & Company said: “We act for the above captioned individuals who are the president and treasurer of the Bahamas Union of Teachers. We are instructed that on or about the 18th of December 2014, the executive board ‘purportedly’ suspended Mrs Wilson and Mrs Knowles. The said (purported) suspensions were totally in contravention of the constitution of the union and the governance manual; therefore being illegal, null, void and of no effect.

“We are further instructed that in the process of appealing the (purported) suspensions, members of the executive committee of the union have interfered with the appeals process to the direct prejudice and detriment of Mrs Wilson and Mrs Knowles. This letter serves as note that the executive officers of the union have until 5pm on January 13, 2015 (Tuesday) to rescind the illegal suspension of Mrs Wilson and Mrs Knowles. If we do not hear from you within the above mention time period we will make immediate and appropriate applications before the court…”

Last week it was revealed that the union’s executive committee has concerns that more than $1.1 million from the union’s pension and savings accounts were allegedly spent in contravention of its policies.

This resulted in BUT members being unable to collect less than half the amount of money they would be eligible for receiving had the money not been spent.

The executive committee plans to meet to discuss calls from some teachers to have the allegations turned over to the police.