DPM Faber Optimistic about Way Forward with Teachers Union

Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber who was flanked by Chief Education Officer, Doctor Carol Babb, at the meeting also felt confident that the meeting had a positive outcome, despite not being able to resolve all of the points raised by the union.  He told reporters this afternoon that contrary to what has been reported, his ministry has always been open to sit down with the union.

Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“I want to say that I am very optimistic and very happy about the outcome but of course that is my view, the unions may tell you something else.  We were able to discuss what I certainly considered to be the main part of what we set out to discuss which is the three issues having to do with the amendment that was being proposed last year and I will remind people what those amendments are.  Firstly, having to do with the Christmas break, the second one having to do with the contracts and the third one having to do with the hiring of emergency administrators and teachers for emergency situations.  On the matter of the first situation, the Christmas holiday, we discussed that matter and I put a proposal to the union.  The proposal was that we scrap the amendment because they claim that there were some sinister motives which I tried to assure them was not the case. We are never at that point where we are not able to have a discussion.  That was news to me and I think that that is a misconception that people have and a misconception that is probably being fed right now by those who want to see me put under heat at this time of the convention.  Not accusing anybody, but that certainly has to be the case, even if it is among Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, the P.U.P., there is some heat that they would want to see turned up on me at this time and so, you know, they’re trying to make it seem like I am not always able to engage with the union.”