Voters kick out teachers’ union

NASSAU – For the first time in the history of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, a vote of no-confidence was moved Tuesday against the entire executive slate, which has been at odds for more than a year.The move to oust the 15-member executive came yesterday at the union’s 63rd Annual General Meeting at the Wyndham Nassau Resort.The Nassau Guardian learnt that 244 delegates and observers voted in favour of removing the leadership team headed by outspoken unionist Belinda Wilson and Secretary General Stephen McPhee. Six voted against the move and six others abstained. Speaking with The Guardian, Wilson indicated her support for the move. “I have noticed within the last two years we have been unable to work harmoniously and I think we have also lost the focus of what it is that trade unionism . . . . So if we cannot personally resolve our conflicts in-house in a peaceful manner then how is it that we can represent our members?” she questioned. While the vote of no-confidence has been agreed, the present executive slate will sit in office until elections are held. It has agreed that elections will be held on September 21. (Nassau Guardian)