IT IS EXTREMELY UNFORTUNATE that the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), in its recent battles with the minister and Ministry of Education over lack of meetings and discrepancies in permanent appointments, among other issues, used up some of its strongest weapons too early and too willy-nilly. The union acted like a boxer who wanted a one-round knockout but found the opponent too elusive and became tired and frustrated early in the fight.
Now the ministry has the union up against the ropes as a result of the docking of the teachers’ pay. If this matter goes to court it will be a long, drawn-out battle that has the potential to weaken the union tremendously.
Docking of pay was threatened in the past but never applied. Plus, a condition of returning to work or settlement was based on no reprisals, deduction of pay or any form of victimisation.
As a result, the union’s executive remained strong and respected. At the same time, it retained the confidence and support of its members.
I am afraid that if the BUT does not get reimbursement for those members whose pay was docked, it is going to devastate the union and erode its support greatly. With this issue hanging over the heads of teachers, it is going to be an uphill task getting them to support any off-the-job action in the future.
When you hit a worker in his pocket he is not going to want that to happen again in a hurry.
I feel very sorry for president Pedro Shepherd and where the BUT stands at the moment. This fight to get back money is not going to be easy. Good luck.Â
– STEPHEN M. BLANCHARD, former general secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers.

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