Teachers Union: ‘Let Conscience Be Your Guide’
“There has been a further call for an island-wide withdrawal of labour tomorrow, Monday, March 14th” and “we urge you to let your conscience be your guide,” the Bermuda Union of Teachers said this afternoon.
The notice from the B.U.T said, “Please be advised that there has been a further call for an island-wide withdrawal of labour tomorrow, Monday, March 14th, 2016.
Slideshow of the protest held on Friday following the initial call for a withdrawal of labour:
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“Brothers and Sisters, once again, the matter of Immigration Reform is not directly related to our Collective Bargaining Agreement; rather, it is a matter of National Significance.
“The constitution of Bermuda affords every citizen the right to protest and the freedom of association. As citizens of this great island, on the matter of Immigration Reform, we urge you to let your conscience be your guide. In solidarity, the Bermuda Union of Teachers.”
The withdrawal of labour on Friday resulted in the suspension of bus, ferry and garbage collection services, as many workers attended the gathering at the House of Assembly to lend support to the protest.
People are expected to gather again tomorrow morning, and the exact level of impact this could have on various services remains unclear, with it likely that full clarification on that may not be available until later. You can follow our live updates on the matter here.
This is getting upsurd. How does Bermuda expect to be a preeminent tourisrt destination and a global reinsurance hub if we can’t even discuss an issue like this in a constructive way? A strike of tqchers, bus drivers, and other public workers is not the answer and is counterproductive! It only hurts Bermuda
‘The constitution of Bermuda affords every citizen the right to protest’. Yup…that is true. However, do it on your own time. I’m not an expert in constitutional law, but I doubt the constitution allows for you to skip work to protest an issue which is completely unrelated to your job or profession. The BUT readily admits this is not part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Surely that’s an acknowledgement that these protests aren’t Labour related. They aren’t Public Service related. They aren’t Teacher related. Therefore…illegal. Notice how no one was out marching over the weekend. Go back to work people, and start protesting on your own time, like the rest of the island.
Because nothing says “lets improve our situation for Bermudians” like throwing the education of Bermudian youth to the wind for a few days
Let your conscience be your guide.
They should have been there today if they feel so strong.
Another 4 day weekend.
Shalom.
Any teacher who takes the day off to lounge on the lawn of the cabinet building has no conscience!
Agreed!
Teachers that strike without notice should not be teachers.
Let your conscience be your guide…. Show up at school and educate the children of Bermuda. It is our duty.
And please each them about economics – especially as it pertains to Bermuda.
Lord I hope these teachers have a right state of mind. Many of their students may very well be affected by this immigration policy and to see their teacher’s reaction to this will surely do no good.
Absolutely – my children are affected – and it is very disturbing to see teachers who appear to be filled with such hatred towards “them” (hopefully not specifically them, though they can admittedly be quite irritating!) teaching them on a day in and day out basis. However, I should say that this is in no way the norm, and there are so many more teachers who are inclusive and welcoming despite my children’s race. I thank you teachers for teaching my non Bermudian children.
Schools were open Friday.
Barely.
School was open and many on a minimal staff. Their would be no instruction for the kids that day. So the children who went played in the gymnasium. Schools in alright.. pray they all go to work Monday.
And those supporting the Immigration policy are doing so on a Sunday evening while they’re not working, attempting to cause as little disruption as possible…. Says a lot
Teach your students that if you don’t get your way, just stop your feet harder and yell louder – you can bully your way through!
$21,000 a year private school, priceless
Actually a good deal. Thousands less than spent per student in public schools for a much better education taught by teachers who care & parents who back them up.
Not sure who told you those lies but do your research first
So privileged Huh..
Teachers need to get to work and give our children their education
Suggest the BUT executive spend some time studying all the labour laws of the land, not just the snippet of one isolated section of the constitution in the hope of supporting an illegal action.
Anything else is less than scholarly and sets a poor example of professionalism.
You are after all, responsible for educating our children. One of the most important roles in a civilized society.
Please know ALL your facts before you comment. I am a teacher with a conscience and did show up at school on Friday, stayed all day and will be there tomorrow. 99% of our teachers were there. No one has said schools were closed. Parents CHOSE to not send their kids for whatever reason. Speak to the parents, not the educators. WE did NOT advocate schools closing. Period.
Thank you for your input and dedication. Hopefully the BUT executive are listening!
Thank you….Likewise I was at school as well….ALL day….WITH students of parents who CHOSE to send them….
Teacher and Parent/ Thank You!
Good news. Hopefully you will do the same today.
Perhaps teachers where excepting students at your school. But when I took my child to school, I was told that teachers were not accepting students. So please be a little more open minded and realize that there are many different scenarios out there.
I guess protesting this past Saturday was not a requirement as everything was up and running as normal. But since Monday is a regular work day, “why not protest and disrupt those that need/want to go to work. Smh
I personally don’t like being strong armed. If the unions choose to strike so be it. I hope the government of the day doesn’t give in. Regular citizen’s are fed up with the use of a strike just because things aren’t going the way of the PLP faithful. I encourage my fellow Bermudians to give some one a lift, take your trash to the privatized dump that’s open, be respectful and wait this out.