PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Claire Elshot told reporters during the Windward Islands Chamber of Labor Unions' weekly press conference on Tuesday that the government of St. Maarten has decided to abandon their plans to bring in a foreign consultant to conduct a study on how the COLA payments will be made.
Elshot said that these were some of the things that were discussed during the meeting with the various unions and the Council of Ministers last week. Elshot said the Minister of Finance Martin Hassink told the unions that he had to do some research to see exactly what was done by his predecessor and now that he saw that there is no binding agreement with the consulting agency in the Netherlands he can abandon the idea and work with the unions instead. Elshot said the Prime Minister (Minister of General Affairs) sent a proposal to the GOA and the unions also sent their proposal on how the COLA has to be paid. She said all of these matters will be hammered out in an extra-ordinary meeting on Friday.
Elshot further explained that they informed the Council of Ministers of the mandate given to them by their membership for the 2011 and 2012 COLA payments and how they intend to move forward on this matter. She also stated that government gave the unions the necessary explanations as to why only 50% of the COLA was placed in the 2013 budget for the year 2011.
Elshot was also very peeved at an unsigned letter that was sent to teachers and school managers this week from one of the Catholic School Boards. The letter states that teachers and their unions have been planning a strike with regards to the COLA payment. She said the person who sent the letter states that the teachers are claiming their rights but they took the time to explain to the teachers the responsibilities they have towards students attending school. Elshot did not give all the details of the letter but said that it stated that if the unions should call them to meetings during school hours then they need to consider the rights and responsibilities they have towards the students attending school.
Elshot said the COLA rights is not a right of teachers alone but it's a right for all civil servants and even workers in the private sector. Elshot said the unions have a problem with the unilateral decision on the COLA payment. She made clear that the letter that was sent to the teachers is an infringement on the rights of the teachers. Elshot said the unions call their members to update them on the decision taken by government. She said the same teachers are removed from the classroom to participate in trainings and other programs such as the "Catholic Week". She asked what happens then to the rights of God chosen children. The WITU President said they have been calling for social dialogue in order for them to come to a reasonable solution on issues affecting teachers and schools. Elshot said she wants to know the motive of the letter that was sent to the teachers because she wants to know if this is some form of intimidation and if that is the case then it is regrettable. "I would like to inform my members that nothing comes without struggle."
Elshot said last week she also got "flacked" by certain school boards because she spoke out about issues taking place at these schools. "Right now, the place is extremely hot which is affecting students and teachers in the classrooms. Besides that, the flow of sewage at schools is also hampering the school environment." On Tuesday several photographs were sent to SMN News showing flowing sewage at the St. Maarten Academy PSVE section. The sewage flow is in the computer lab that has been disturbing the teaching sessions at the school. On several occasions the computer lab had to close down leaving students without an alternative.
Elshot also condemned the vandalism that took place at one of the schools in St. Peters (Browllia Millard Campus, M.A.C) less than two months after school reopened. She called on the community to assist the police to safeguard the school facilities because education is fundamental for society. "Those that opens the door of a school closes the door to a prison, schools should be considered a sanctuary and not for vandalism."
