Education Minister: B.U.T. Agreement At Finish Line as Government Continues BEMU Talks

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Weeks of meetings, negotiations and industrial tension may soon end with signatures on the dotted line for the Bahamas Union of Teachers.

The development comes after a rocky start to the new school year, which saw teachers on several islands walk off the job amid disputes with the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology (MOEST).

Those actions disrupted classes and forced the government and union leaders back to the table for a series of talks.

Now, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education Chester Cooper says the focus has shifted from negotiating the deal, to getting the final document ready.

Chester Cooper –  Acting MP & Minister of Education, Science and Technology 

“ The final draft is being worked on. There have been extensive meetings to ensure that the language is appropriate and is agreed, and we expect that will be executed in due course at this point.”

However, that doesn’t close the book on MOEST Union talks.

The Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU) has also been at the table with the government following its own dispute over issues affecting school administrators.

Those talks have not yet produced a final deal, but Cooper says he believes the two sides are getting closer.

Chester Cooper – Acting PM, Minister of Education, Science and Technology 

“ That is an active negotiation. It’s progressing well. There are a few matters not yet agreed,  but we anticipate that over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll have an agreement.”