Unions’ call

Barbados’ two leading teachers’ trade unions are up in arms about attempts to “unilaterally” change the terms and conditions under which principals and deputy principals are appointed in the public system.

In separate statements on Monday, the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) and the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) demanded answers about a decision to offer contracts to the teachers who recently applied for the senior positions, instead of the customary permanent appointments.

Barbados TODAY understands that educators who applied for the top posts at primary and secondary schools were informed of the new terms in a letter from the Ministry of Education.

Long-standing educators have therefore questioned whether the coveted promotions could come at the expense of decades of accumulated entitlements, including their pensionable rights and security of tenure, if their contracts are not renewed.

“We are even more concerned, because this has been done without any explanation, consultation or negotiation with the unions,” BSTU President Mary Redman told Barbados TODAY.

“And so there are many unanswered questions that deeply concern our membership at this time with the announcement that the positions for which they have already been interviewed have changed to positions that offer employment at that level on a contractual basis.

“There needs to be the type of meetings where we can be informed, we can provide opinions and perhaps direction in terms of how this arrangement should best be applied in the teaching service,” she added.

Redman revealed that she had relayed the union’s concerns during a meeting late last month with senior officials in the Ministry of the Public Service. The BSTU president added that teachers were hoping to have further meetings to bring clarity to the issue and that a letter had been drafted outlining the union’s specific concerns.

Meanwhile, BUT president Rudy Lovell, declared that the issuance of contracts under the current circumstances had the potential to be deeply disadvantageous to workers as it represented a change to the educators’ terms and conditions of service.

“We believe this is a unilateral change away from the existing terms and conditions of service for teachers,” Lovell said in a statement.

“This decision by the authorities can impact an individual’s ability to get loans or mortgages as they will have no security of tenure. Presently principals are promoted via appointment,” he added. The union leader called for clarity on the implications of the proposed change for pension, term’s leave and other key benefits.

“Teachers in pursuit of promotion are being asked to give up their existing terms and conditions of service for a contracted post with all its uncertainties,” said Lovell. “The BUT would like to know if these contracts will have an impact on seniority within the teaching service, a process that is already proving challenging to finalise.

“Will appointed principals and contracted principals be paid the same? Are other senior workers in the public sector being placed on contract? What is the cost to the government for hiring over 40 principals on contract?” he asked.

Lovell contended that although Sections 2.13 to 2.16 of the General Orders of the Public Service speak to “jobs on contract”, the union’s interpretation of this provision is that these contracts were reserved for “special contracts” and not principals.

Ms Redman further noted that decades ago, when it was common for educators to be brought in from abroad, particularly to teach at the country’s public secondary schools, they would be given contracts for the period in which they were expected to work on the island.

The BUT meanwhile warned that the measure would only serve to demotivate and disincentivise career public officers who, after 20 to 30 years of service, have a “legitimate expectation” to be promoted.

“The BUT is opposed to the introduction of contracts into the hiring process of principals and appointed teachers and believes that these punitive cosmetic changes will do little to assist the development of the educational system, especially the teaching and learning process. We are therefore calling on the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training and other authorities to engage the BUT in full consultation on this matter,” said Lovell.

Barbados TODAY reached out to a senior official in the Ministry of Education for comment. There was none offered up to the time of publication. (TD)