President of the Bahamas Educators Counselor and Allied Workers Union (BECAWU), Sandra Major is standing by the Bahamas Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) industrial action this week.

She told ZNS News though unions have met with officials of the Ministry of Labour, there is little progress.  On confirmations for teachers Major said, “in 2023, for teachers, they gave more people, the new people coming out got theirs a little quicker.  We appreciate that.  Let’s get that right.  But I waited from 2020, where’s mine? I’m waiting, where’s my reclassification?  My salary is $1,000 if it was changed I could get $1,500.  I want my $500.  So all we are saying is somebody has to fix it.”

Major added, “people would say well why would teachers stay home and cause the children to suffer.  What about the teacher?  My question to the whole country is what about the teacher.  Our salaries aren’t that great that they could just stay home or decide we’re gonna stop working cause we don’t need a salary.  Our salaries are not that great.  So teachers are important and when we work we expect to be paid.”

Members of BECAWU stayed home for two days earlier this week in support of the stance of the TUC led by Obie Ferguson.  Major shared her appreciation for Ferguson saying, “because without his assistance we would not have made it this far.