Union threatens to withdraw labor at two schools

The Nassau Guardian

Union threatens to withdraw labor at two schools

The Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) yesterday threatened that when schools open across the country in September it would withdraw its labor from two of them if the principals are not removed.

BUT President Belinda Wilson called on the government to intervene.

She said Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald has been placed on notice.

Wilson said one school is located on New Providence and the other is on Grand Bahama.

“At this time, I will not call the names, but we have placed the ministry, the minister of education, the permanent secretary and the director on notice that the Bahamas Union of Teachers and our members within those two schools are not prepared to begin the new school year with those two principals in the schools,” Wilson told The Nassau Guardian on the sidelines of the Public School Administrators Workshop.

“We are concerned about the academic direction of the schools.

“We are also concerned about the hostile environment at the schools, and the teachers for the most part do not feel that they are supported by these two administrators.

“We believe that the schools can move forward much more quickly and in a positive way if both of those administrators are removed from both of those schools.”

Fitzgerald said last night he will not name the schools either that the union has issues with.

He acknowledged Wilson’s concerns on the matter.

Asked whether he is concerned about possible industrial action, Fitzgerald said, “If the president of the union says that, of course we have to take it seriously which is why I have acknowledged. We will see what happens.”

Charles Wildgoose, president of the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU), said he was not aware of the BUT’s concerns, but he said Wilson, “has her approach of dealing with matters”.

“It would be good if at some point in time, we could exchange concerns and seek to deal with [them], but I think she would have reported the concerns.

“I hope she did or does to the director of education, who in turn will seek information from the superintendent and the principals.

“I know for a fact BUT has expressed some concerns about the leadership in some schools.

“The dialogue is very important and there is a process, and I try to do both.

“If there is a concern about our membership, I go to the source and I find out what the facts are and follow due process in investigating it and seeking to deal with it.”

 

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