The teachers met with the territorial council yesterday where they further discuss their grievances which led to a week long strike.
Even though the teachers are going back to school today Wednesday they are going to be out for another week since school will be closing at the end of the week for the annual carnival vacation. During this period of time the teachers along with the other unions representing the LC Fleming Hospital, EDF and the Collectivity workers and the MOCSAM would continue to negotiate their grievances with the elected officials.
Right now the teachers it is said realized they are the only ones trying to fight for St. Martin while the locals are going to work everyday.
Gumbs said that the MOCSAM members met yesterday evening where they debated the document the COM presented to them on Monday afternoon. He said the MOCSAM will be presenting the COM with a response on the document latest today as they continue to negotiate on behalf of the people of St. Martin.
He said right now they are planning to use other strategies to further mobilize the population. "With the march last Friday we were able to send a clear message to the elected officials and now we are moving forward. If those elected does not give us favorable answers then we would have to get back to the streets" says Julien Gumbs.
The teachers have decided to return to work after reviewing the calendar that was presented to them by the Collectivity. On that calendar it is clearly indicated that much needed renovations will be completed by September 1 at the Lycee and other establishments. The set of repairs will begin next week when school is out.
Syndicat Nationale des Enseignants Secondaires (SNES) union negotiator Laurent Bayley said teachers were mostly satisfied with the promises, but indicated a small minority of teachers, about 20 per cent, will continue the strike action in support of their family and friends who were arrested during their protest action.
