Philipsburg:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Claire Elshot announced on Tuesday during the Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions' (WICLU) weekly press conference that the WITU board members election is scheduled for this Thursday January 31st, 2013 at 6pm at the WIFOL building on Pondfill Road.
The incumbent President said that there are at least six positions that have to be filled including the Presidency. Elshot said she already postulated for the position while three new persons postulated to become members of the WITU. Elshot said members of the WITU that are eligible to vote have to be registered members of the union whose dues are up to date. She further explained that the WITU chose Thursday as the day for their elections in order to accommodate their members at the Seventh Day Adventist School.
FZOG are Gangsters, where are our elected officials?
In responding to questions posed by reporters regarding the recent developments where pensioners are receiving letters from FZOG claiming they owe the organization that was set up for pensioners to obtain health benefits, Elshot said she is aware of the situation because at least two persons contacted her and showed her the letters FZOG sent out to them in Papiamento informing them that they owe FZOG and they are requested to pay the outstanding amount FZOG claims they owe. Elshot described the situation as a gangster style where an organization is trying to rip off the most vulnerable. She said that St. Maarten became a country within the Kingdom three years ago and St. Maarten has its own pensioners institution (APS) and to receive these letters now from FZOG is shameful. "One person showed me a letter where it states that the person visited Dr. Mercelina three times and that doctor is not working on St. Maarten for a number of years now."
Elshot called on the persons who received the letters to just "freeze" them because the WITU/WICLU will be sending a letter to FZOG. Elshot said she also would like to know what the elected officials such as the Minister of Health, Labour, and Social Welfare is doing about the matter.
Education International Focused on Haiti's Recovery and its Impact on Public Education.
The President of the WITU Claire Elshot also gave an update on her trip to Haiti where she attended the Education International (EI) conference. The EI conference took place last week where a number of issues regarding the enhancing of public education were discussed. Elshot said some 14 units attended the round table conference, including the CNEH, NEA, AFT, CTF, CSQ, SNES, and EI.
Elshot told reporters that during the conference an analysis was done on Haiti's current situation and she managed to use the opportunity to inform those that attended the conference of how far St. Maarten has come after the island was completely destroyed.
Teachers not pleased with February days off.
Elshot also gave reporters an update on the meeting the union had with the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs to discuss various issues that are affecting the WITU members. One of those issues is the two days off teachers receive during the month of February. Elshot said since last year the WITU submitted a request to the Minister of Education to have the vacation schedule modified because during these two days some teachers use the time to visit their families as well as go to their respective countries for carnival. She said to her surprise she learnt during the meetings that the vacation schedules were made up for a three year period and the various school boards were given the schedule in advance for feedback, Elshot said none of the school boards ever received such a schedule for discussion. She said she checked with the various school boards and they all told her they never received it. Besides that, Elshot said because of this teachers will find creative ways to get the days they want off including the two days that government set aside which is the 7&8th February, 2013. "The carnival parade is scheduled for the 10th so the teachers will find ways to take the days they want to go and have their family reunions as well as enjoy carnival in their countries."
WITU Submits Motion to have Vacation Allowance Equalized.
The President of the WITU also told reporters on Tuesday that the union has submitted a motion with 400 signatures requesting that there vacation allowances be increased from 6% to 8% as of this year. Elshot all the countries within the Kingdom are paying their teachers 8% while St. Maarten teachers only receive 6%. "We are not asking for retroactive payment. All we want is to be treated equally like our brothers and sisters in Curacao, BES, and Aruba therefore we see no reason why the CFT would not allow government to add a mere 2% to the teachers vacation allowance." Elshot said while a copy of the motion was presented to the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs, a copy was also deposited at General Affairs which is to be sent to the Council of Ministers.