Change of pace for the Barbados’ Union of Teachers

SPEAKING with the use of a cricketing analogy throughout his speech, President of the Barbados’ Union of Teachers (BUT), Pedro Shepherd, has declared that the union’s approach to address their concerns will be a more diplomatic and friendly one. Word of this came as he addressed the members of the union for their 42nd Annual General Conference.

Given previous accusations that the union’s approach was aggressive, confrontational, and attacking, and thus putting the Government on the defensive, Shepherd determined that a change of pace is needed to achieve the results that the union wants.

In referring to some of the progress that has been made, Shepherd acknowledged that a number of temporary teachers were appointed. While this was not an easy process, Shepherd maintains that there are still many that have been overlooked, and as a result, the BUT is calling for their appointment with haste.

Furthermore, Shepherd indicated that the Trade Union Movement is facing monumental challenges, and are only given recognition after threats to shut down the country. Lending to these challenges is the fact that negotiations have become a thing of the past, and so, trade unions need a revised approach in order to survive.

Exercising diplomacy
Another challenge, according to Shepherd, is the unilateral dismantling of workers’ rights. He charged that the Government continues to use the 2008 recession as an excuse as to why salary increases, among other benefits, cannot be paid.

Additionally, the 14-21 sick days per year and 10 days study leave per semester allowed to teachers are being granted no longer. In fact, teachers requesting such are being threatened and are working in fear of their jobs and it is because of this that Shepherd is asking the Government to engage in the collective bargaining process.

Further still, people are being asked to act in Senior Teacher positions and have not received letters or salary increases confirming such, and most absurdly interviewees are being warned not to join the union if they know what is good for them.

However, what seems to be most unsatisfactory and unacceptable, according to Shepherd, is the unceremonious termination of workers. Speaking of one female teacher in particular, Shepherd stated that the young mother was terminated without explanation, and this seems to be a recurring decimal that the union is facing.

To this end, the BUT is calling for a meeting to have her reinstated for the beginning of the 3rd term, a request that may only be fulfilled in September, making it one year that the teacher was unemployed.
It is in pledging the union’s support to this young lady and other contributing members like her, that Shepherd declared that the BUT is not in bed with the Ministry of Education, despite the rumours, but is simply using diplomacy to address the issues.

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