Teachers to Strike on Monday
Elena Smith
And so there you heard the unions say that they are not backing down from their industrial actions. The B.N.T.U. has informed the Ministry of Education that teachers will go on strike on Monday. It is not clear for how long they will not be teaching but they say that they are prepared to go as long as is necessary. The last time teachers went on strike for ten days under the U.D.P. government back in and this time around President Elena Smith says that they are just as serious. You’ll recall that some classrooms only recently reopened for in-person learning. And while most schools are still doing online and information packages for learning, Smith says that their actions will still carry weight.
Senator Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U.
“Even though we are not in the classroom, we continue to work. So, our children are still getting work from us. So, to say that it will not really be effective is not really and truly the bigger picture. Our students, our parents will indeed feel if it is that our teachers discontinue the work that they have been doing from home and for most of them from out of their own pocket. So, it is going to have an impact.”
Andrea Polanco
“Describe what this strike action will look like because it is an unconventional time we are operating in?”
Senator Elena Smith
“Strike is strike. When we are on strike we do not work. That is simply what strike means.”
Reporter
“The online classes were barely a substitute for actual in class learning so they will be affected even greater?”
Senator Elena Smith
“Well, we have been doing the best that we can do. This is not just about us as teachers. We have management, we have ministry who should have also been doing their part. So, from our end our teachers have been going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that their students get work.”
Reporter
“I know the last time you guys had an eleven day strike, could you see it go that long?”
Senator Elena Smith
“Well, this will go for as long as the government decides that they will hold their hard and fast position.”
Andrea Polanco
“Times are tough, would teachers want to be losing that money they are making?”
Senator Elena Smith
“We have informed our members that anytime we are on strike, that is a possibility and the rules are clear that you may lose salary and based on the survey over ninety percent say that they are willing to take strike action.”
Andrea Polanco
“What can the government do, say today, what can the government do to allay some of the actions that are on stream that would get the teachers back in the classroom and teaching on Monday?”
Senator Elena Smith
“I am not sure that they can get the teachers back teaching on Monday because we are already on a path because they have not been doing what they should be doing. So, if it is that they want to have change in anything they must come to the table and come to the table with some serious solutions – not on the surface solutions. We want serious, detailed solutions and if they can’t come to the table with that level of seriousness then we will remain where we are.”
