Redman retains post as President of BSTU

Mary-Anne Redman has retained her post as President of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), following a highly anticipated election process, which formed part of the BSTU’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday.

The AGM was held in the Horatio Cooke Auditorium at the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) Headquarters in Dalkeith, St. Michael. Following the election process, a new executive council was announced with Redman at the helm. The elected officers are: Bro. Charles Morris – First Vice President; Sis. Donna King – Second Vice President; Bro. Leslie Lett Jr. – Third Vice President; Sis. Dawn Grosvenor-Davis – General Secretary; Bro. Kirtis Luke – Deputy General Secretary; Sis. Nicole Branch – Treasurer; and Bro. Carseen Greenidge – Public Relations Officer.

“We had a very fruitful meeting; it was lively and very well attended, the largest that we have ever had. I am not even sure of the final numbers, but definitely it was over 100 people, which was an excellent turnout for us,” President Mary-Anne Redman said afterward.

“This was the first time that we have had a challenge for all of the posts. Generally, it is just one or two posts that would be challenged, but this time there was a full slate of candidates and so the election process (was long) and the meeting did go on for a far longer time than we initially imagined, but I think it has been a very productive exercise. I think it has been a learning experience for us all involved and it is one from which the Union will definitely grow,” she added.

Redman, who had previously taken steps to resign as president in the past, noted that she made the decision to reconsider, given the overwhelming support given to her and calls for her to remain at the helm.

“The membership would not allow me to even contemplate that. They refused to accept the resignation at that point in time. I did have some health challenges and I did feel overworked,” she acknowledged.

“They had agreed to give me a leave of absence to, as Bajans would say ‘catch myself’ and that being the case, I reconsidered. I got lots of phone calls, lots and lots of people asking me to reconsider and I did and I am happy,” she added.

“I really am happy to be here with this team that really stepped up to the plate with the resignation of the other officers and they have helped to stabilise and maintain the levels of work and the quality of work that the BSTU does,” she further remarked.

“I am very appreciative and the membership is very appreciative of the fact that they have done that and we look forward to an excellent year,” she finally stated, whilst also thanking the members who would have resigned for the contribution they would have also made to the union. (RSM)