The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Union of Teachers has urged members to stay on guard after accusing the government of abandoning negotiations for a new industrial agreement, escalating the standoff between the two sides.

However, Keenan Johnson, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, said negotiations have continued despite some outstanding issues.

Mr Johnson said the government's negotiating team has confirmed that “we are more than 90 percent towards an agreement” and remains hopeful the remaining matters can be resolved.

“The focus continues to be on reaching a fair and responsible conclusion through good faith negotiations, and we look forward to those discussions continuing,” he said.

His comment came after BUT president Belinda Wilson claimed in a memo to teachers that the government had “walked away” from contract discussions.

She said the parties were scheduled to resume talks yesterday, but late Monday night she was informed that the government's lead negotiator had advised the union the Davis administration would not be returning to the negotiating table.

“The BUT expects that the government will come back to the table to complete negotiations sooner than later,” she added.

“The BUT expects a date, time, and venue to be agreed by both parties for negotiations to resume, for us to sign off on articles that are incomplete, and for us to have an acceptable financial package.”

She said the union expects an updated financial counterproposal and wants a mediator to be present at their next discussions.

Wilson also urged BUT members to stay tuned for further updates and instructions on their next move.

It marks the latest dispute between the two sides. The union has previously rejected the government's offer, while officials have declined to disclose details of the proposal or the union's demands.