Mary Redman’s 11-year run as presidentof the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) will soon be challenged.
A number of members who resigned from the BSTU in protest last year are intent on changing the way business is run by the current executive, and will be going up against Redman and her new executive team when the annual general meetingof the teachers’ body is held on April 4.
Disgruntled members of the union have put a special team in place to challenge the outspoken long-time president, who has been at the helm of the BSTU since 2007.
The interested group has namedAndrew Brathwaite, a former general secretary of the BSTU, to challenge Redman for the top position. Erskine Padmore will run for the first vice-president position which he held before resigning last year, Christopher Oliver for secondvice-president, and Dionne Kingfor the position of third vice president.
Former treasurer DeAndra Howard will be seeking re-election to that position with the new team. Dr Carlton Grant is to contest the position of general secretary with Frank Archer as his assistant.
According to a source close to the situation, a search is still on for someone to fill the position of public relations officer.
“The members of the team feel serious about bringing new blood to the union in terms of leadership, and a change to how the union functions in general. Over the years, Miss Redman has never been challenged. All other posts except hers are electedbut she usually is returned unopposed.
“She will be challenged this year,” an informed source said.
The annual general meeting will be held at the Dalkieth, St Michael headquarters of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) at 9:30 a.m. on April 4.
BSTU members were annoyed with Redman’s executive because finances were not drawn down from the union’s strike fund when members had their pay docked after taking part in a protest of March last year.
Almost 200 teachers lost someof their wages for being away from the classroom when they participatedin the Respect for Teachers protest onApril 5, 2017 when scores of placard-bearing members walked from Queen’s Parkto the office of the chief personnel officer on Culloden Road, St Michael. (BA)
