National

B.U.T. Pres.: Members Put Your Tennis Up, We Got What We Wanted

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda Wilson says the union has reached an agreement with the government, securing improved salary scales, lump-sum payments, hardship allowances and $1,400 in retroactive payments, with Education Minister Chester Cooper calling it a positive outcome for education.

Published

1 hour ago

September 8, 2026

Joshua Williams

NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers
“So members, you can put your tennis back in the house, your umbrellas back in the house. We’ve gotten what it is you sent us for.”

The back-and-forth between the government and the Bahamas Union of Teachers over an industrial agreement finally coming to an end.

B.U.T. executives, led by President Belinda Wilson, arrived at the Office of the Prime Minister from as early as eight a.m. Wilson telling reporters they were scheduled to meet with the prime minister, deputy prime minister and other officials before Tuesday’s weekly Cabinet meeting.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers
“The prime minister, who says that the buck stops with him, that we will get our 50 cents out of that buck.”

About an hour later, Wilson emerged from the meeting, all smiles, joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Chester Cooper.

A stark difference from the fiery tone we’ve grown accustomed to hearing throughout this dispute.

The union has been at odds with the government over the terms of its industrial agreement since last November. But after months of back-and-forth, a deal has finally been struck.

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers
“We are pleased with what we got today, and I think our members will be very, very happy.”

A 20 percent salary increase for its members has been one of the union’s main demands for months.

So, what did teachers actually get in the agreement?

Belinda Wilson – President, Bahamas Union of Teachers
“Now we have teachers who will get the maximum salary scale of $54,000. We were wrangling over some payment in year three, lump-sum payment in five. We were able to agree to both of them. We had some of our islands that were left off from hardship allowances, so we were able to get those in. So we are very pleased today.”

Those lump-sum totals, $700 in year three and $750 in year five, along with $1,400 in retroactive payments.

For Education Minister Chester Cooper, an amicable outcome is what everyone wanted.

Chester Cooper – Minister of Education
“We now can confirm that we are working harmoniously together to drive the revolution in education that I’ve been speaking about. This is a positive outcome. It’s a great day for education.”