Trade Union president questions rationale behind back to back meetings

With the Ministry of Education scheduled to meet with teachers’ unions and teachers in separate meetings today, one union is questioning the rationale behind such a decision.

President of the Barbados Union of Teachers Rudy Lovell has described the development as unfortunate and an attempt to undermine trade unions, while calling on the Ministry of Education to reconsider the time to meet with teachers.

Officials from the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training are reportedly scheduled to meet with teachers’ unions at 8:30 this morning, which is to be followed by a meeting with teachers at around 2 p.m.

The discussions relate to the safe return to the classroom for face-to-face teaching scheduled for February 21.

However, Lovell said this was contrary to how discussions should take place, since it did not give the union leaders time to discuss matters with their members after their meeting.

“The Barbados Union of Teachers is committed to creating a safe learning environment for students and teachers and is willing to do this via consultation with the Ministry of Education, Technological, and Vocational Training (METVT),” said Lovell.

“The Ministry has scheduled talks with teachers’ unions at 8:30 a.m. today, February 8, 2022 and they have also scheduled discussions with teachers at 2 p.m. having not concluded the discussion with the workers’ representatives. In so doing, they have bypassed the teachers’ unions to speak directly to their members. This is unfortunate and if an oversight, can be viewed as an attempt to undermine the role of the trade unions,” he said.

Lovell explained that in keeping with the General Orders 10.6, which states that “there should be consultation with the accredited representatives of all categories of officers and employees on any proposals affecting the conditions of service of such officers and employees”, the BUT was calling on the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training to “consider rescheduling the meeting with teachers and allow true consultation and representation to prevail”.