Union appeals to members for greater support

 

President of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), Pedro Shepherd, is appealing to existing members to encourage their younger colleagues to join the trade union.
 
Shepherd made the comments during the opening of the Union’s Professional Develop-ment Workshop yesterday morning at Almond Bay Centre, Hastings, Christ Church, as he disclosed that the union has been experiencing some “serious challenges” with its membership.
 
“We are getting the impression from our young workers that much has been achieved thus far, little can be achieved and so there is little or no reason to subscribe to a trade union. Unless of course the time comes when a principal pins you in a corner and you realise the only way to get out is to get somebody to represent your interests,” he said.
 
The Union boss continued, “And so we want to encourage you to encourage your young colleagues to continue to support the Barbados Union of Teachers in its quest to ensure that the terms and conditions for teachers are maintained and that the high quality of 
representation by the Barbados Union of Teachers continues as well,” he said.
 
Moreover, the BUT president is also urging the members to respect the role of the Union. He explained that while there is nothing wrong with pursuing their own resolution to a problem, when the Union is asked the step in on a matter, it is appropriate that they give the input of the Union some measure of respect. Shepherd made the point as he contended that too often they are challenged by members, who do not accept the judgement of the 14-member Executive, which the members elected to office to represent their interest.
 
Speaking earlier, Public Relations Officer of the BUT, Dwane Goddard, noted that in addition to bringing the grievances of its members to the Ministry of Education and the schools, one of the major responsibilities of the BUT is to keep members “on the cutting edge”. For that reason, he said, they have placed increased focus on hosting professional development workshops for their constituents.
 
“We are always heartened to see the numbers increasing… It is always good to see teachers see the importance of developing themselves and don’t just wait on the Ministry or whoever else. So every opportunity you get, we encourage you to better yourself,” he added. (JRT)
 

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