BUT: Suspension of Teachers Discriminatory

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) has described as discriminatory the suspension of two of its members, Pedro Shepherd and Alwyn Babb, for participating as candidates in the recently held general elections on 19th January 2022.

In a statement, the BUT says, “Notwithstanding what is written in the General Orders 3.18.1 and the Third Schedule, Public Service Act, Cap. 29… the role and duties of teachers should not necessarily exempt them from participating in or being candidates in the political process at this juncture in our development.

“It is not a case of these two teachers being part and parcel of the hierarchy of the public service, having access to any government secrets or in any way can affect the proper day-to-day functioning of government. Let us all remember that this country is now a republic and was always a democratic society.”

The Union describes sections of the General orders and the Public Service Act as archaic and is calling for amendments to bring them in line with the provisions of the Constitution of Barbados. 

The BUT has proposed in its Draft Collective Bargaining Agreement document that teachers with at “least three (3) years standing in the Union, shall on application, be granted leave of absence to contest General Elections for the House of Assembly.” 

This leave would be without pay. However, to date, the BUT says it has not concluded its discussions with the Ministry of the Public Service and therefore the matter was never settled. This has placed teachers at a disadvantage, and while several sides can be argued, the Union is “hopeful that the day will come when the protection of the freedom of assembly and association as outlined in the Constitution of Barbados would result in teachers, nurses, maids and other public servants being able to exercise ‘the right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in

particular to form or belong to political parties or to form or belong to trade

unions or other associations for the protection of his interests.’” (Section 21, Barbados Constitution)

The statement notes that in Trinidad and Tobago, public officers can participate in the General Elections as candidates and return to their substantive jobs if unsuccessful. Also, in St Kitts and Nevis in 2019, a High Court Judge ruled that sections of their Public Service Act that prevented public officers from participating in General elections were unconstitutional.

Source: BUT