The Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) elected five new officers during an emergency general meeting of its members on Tuesday.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the union on Wednesday night.
It stated that the meeting was held after the executive received “unsolicited resignations” from five officers. These were the first vice president, general secretary, second vice president, treasurer & the assistant general secretary.
The union said after attempts to encourage the officers to reconsider their decision and withdraw their resignation letters had failed, president Mary-Anne Redman said it was necessary to have those positions urgently filled.
“A motion was passed by the general membership to endorse the decision by the executive council to accept the resignation letters, after which the president thanked the officers for their period of service to the union thus far,” the release said. This was also ratified in another motion.
The leadership team is now made up of president Redman, general secretary Leslie Lett, first vice president Dawn Grosvenor-Davis, second vice president Reverend Charles Morris, third vice president Michael Mayers, deputy general secretary Kirtis Luke and treasurer Nicole Branch.
Redman reiterated that the union is not the president or the other elected officers; but rather the entire membership.
She further indicated that the success of any union hinges on the collective contribution and support of all members.
Consultant to the BSTU Patrick Frost encouraged the members to stand up in solidarity, and continue to resist the “intimidation tactics” used by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to seemingly discourage union members from meeting, as is their constitutional right to do.
With the voting process completed to fill the vacancies, the newly elected officers were welcomed to their new roles.
The reconstituted team, under the leadership of its president, pledged its continued commitment to the fair and fearless representation that has historically characterised the work of the BSTU. (PR/NB)
