B.U.T. up in arms!

“I said it then and I will repeat it now and continue to say, the union was meeting with its members and was not on industrial action or strike. 

 

“However, even if we were, there is a provision in the Trade Union Act for such and the constitution of Barbados does allow it.”

 

These were the emphatic words from Pedro Shepherd, President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), during an emergency press conference at the BUT headquarters on Sunday evening.

 

Shepherd noted, “We are prepared to take whatever steps in dealing with the matter of a pay deduction for teachers made known to us from a correspondence circulating on social media, made known to us (BUT) on Friday 20th May, 2016 via social media for the first time. A letter written to the secretary treasurer of Queen’s College and, one would assume, that all other secretary treasurers received a letter with similar content giving truth to the rumor.

 

“We can’t allow this to continue further without making some statement on it. I want to address it and the teachers of Barbados especially the members of the BUT. A matter that has been arousing concerns from teachers for the past two weeks.”

 

This is in lieu of a series of failed attempts by the teaching fraternity to meet with the Minister of Education and ensuing BUT meetings with its membership to deal with troubling matters the teaching fraternity feels need to be raised with the Minister of Education directly.

 

Shepherd stated, “From the time the rumor was making its rounds the union sought a legal opinion from its lawyer and we are somewhat comforted by the opinion given. Of course it was just a legal opinion and not a decision of the court of Barbados. 

 

“Today I want to reassure members that if the letter is not withdrawn and the salaries are proportionately updated, that the BUT will take the matter as far as is necessary.”

 

Shepherd revealed, “The letter has serious implications for the work and life of trade unions in barbados. The congress of trade unions and staff associations in Barbados would therefore be apprised of its context for discussion at the level of its executive and its social partnership.

 

“Therefore we must ask ourselves these questions. With whose permissions do one attend meetings, medical appointments, children graduation or personal business routines? As far as I am aware or the ‘BUT’ is aware, it is the principal who grants such permission.

 

“I am positive that at least 99 per cent of the teachers who attended those two meetings were given permission by their principals or the persons in-charge to do so. So is it the Ministry changing the rules as they play the game?

 

 “We will recall they changed the rule on corporal punishment even though the law states clearly what it is or rather should be. They have changed the rules as they relate to short-term study leave. They have changed the rules as they relate to terms leave.”

 

He emphasized, “When are they going to stop changing the rules midstream? There are stakeholders in education that need to be consulted as was the case prior to 2012. If permission was granted by the principals, how then can you justify the docking of pay?

 

“Were the teachers wrong therefore to accept their principal’s permission to attend the meetings? 

 

“Where is the human face to all of this? What is the rush? Can’t there be negotiations on such a matter? Why can’t the ministry move with the same haste to pay those teachers who have been in acting positions for years and can’t get their allowances? What is the position with other unions who call out members to meetings for an entire day every month? Why is it the BUT and its membership seems to be targeted all the time?”

 

He pointed out, “I am therefore hoping the letter is withdrawn as well as any other instructions which were given to proportionately abate the teachers’ salary for the month of May 2016 in the spirit of rebuilding a working or workable relationship between the Ministry of Education and the Barbados Union of Teachers.

 

“After attending a meeting with the Permanent Secretary last week at the Ministry of Education, and other senior officers there seem to be of a willingness on both sides to rebuild faith and trust. There was noticeable progress made during that meeting and I look forward to the continued dialogue with the hope of finding amicable solutions to the many issues facing teachers and indeed parents.