The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) has taken umbrage at what it has described as “blatant disrespect” to teachers’ unions by the Ministry of Education.
And that union has taken special aim at former Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw, accusing her of trying to crush the union’s power.
Speaking during the BUT’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) this morning with Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw in attendance, President Rudy Lovell charged that teachers’ unions had been wrongly accused of trying to delay the return to face-to-face classes.
Additionally, he also accused Bradshaw, who is now Deputy Prime Minister, of trying to shut out teachers’ unions when discussions were being held surrounding the possible resumption of in-person classes.
Delivering his first president’s address since being elected on February 4, Lovell did not hold back any punches.
“It would be remiss of me if I did not address the blatant disrespect heralded at the teachers’ unions, who on January 18, 2022, were accused of trying to derail the return of face-to-face classes for the nation’s children.
“The BUT was part of discussions held over the past year related to the return to face-to-face classes. At no time did we derail or sought to derail any attempt to return to the face-to-face classroom. If we were guilty of anything it must be of the fact that we were willing to return to face-to-face classes when it was safe to do so. This fact was supported by the Chief Medical Officer who on several occasions advised the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training against the return to face-to-face classes. This was due to the high number of COVID-19 infections present among members of the population at the time…” Lovell contended.
The BUT president also cited some of Bradshaw’s actions as Minister of Education, charging that unions’ work was undermined in some instances.
In August 2021, Bradshaw met with hundreds of secondary school principals and teachers at the Wildey Gymnasium to discuss several matters including the planned COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the September 21 reopening of schools.
At the end of that meeting Bradshaw described it as productive.
However, Lovell maintained that meeting should never have occurred because the teachers’ unions were still in discussions with the Ministry of Education at that time.
As a result, he said the BUT had lodged a formal complaint with the head of the Public Service.
“Additionally, during the discussions related to a return to face-to-face classes it was the opinion of the BUT that the Minister of Education attempted to crush the power of trade unions simply by engaging in dialogue with the workers while the dialogue with workers’ representatives was ongoing.
“The BUT is opposed to this practice and lodged an official complaint with the head of the Public Service, Dr Louis Woodroffe on March 4, 2022, during a meeting with the Ministry of the Public Service and trade unions. Rest assured that the BUT will follow up on this complaint,” Lovell said. (RB)
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