Clarke – Union doing all it can to have teachers re-employed

President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Teachers Union (SVGTU) Ronald Clarke has indicated that his institution is doing all it can to have three teachers re-employed.{{more}}

Clarke, speaking at a press conference yesterday, Monday, May 30, at the Union’s headquarters in McKies Hill, Kingstown, said that contrary to what some critics think, their efforts may well pay off, as word from the Public Service Commission is that they are open to the idea of re-employing the men: Kenroy Johnson, Addison Thomas and Elvis Daniel.

“In my opinion, they are saying they don’t have a problem with the re-employment…they were having problems in terms of vacancy and availability of posts. The Ministry of Education also indicated that.”

The three teachers, who contested the December 13, 2010 General Elections on the ticket of the New Democratic Party (NDP), were unsuccessful in their bid to win seats, and efforts were made both by the party and the Union to have the men returned to their jobs.

Article 16 of the collective agreement signed between the Union and the government in 2005, says that teachers who are members of the Teachers’ Union for three years onwards and wish to contest General Elections, be allowed to do so, and if they are not successful that they be reinstated.

However, under Section 26 D of the Constitution of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the men had to resign, as one cannot be a public servant and contest a General Election.

The Union President said that they are aware of the fact that no agreement can supersede the national constitution, but they were hoping that the goodwill in which the agreement was signed would prevail.

He also said that official and unofficial efforts were made to have the men re-employed.

“We are aware that the Collective Agreement cannot stand, but given the spirit and good faith in which the Collective Agreement was signed, that these persons should be considered for re-employment; not reinstatement.

“We recognized that there will be some political overtones to it, and I personally, along with other members of the executive, would have taken opportunity to discuss and lobby for these persons to be re-employed whenever we come into contact with the political directorate.”

“I believe that the constitution gives Parliament leeway to create some exceptions as to persons who would be able to run, even if the constitution speaks otherwise; and I believe that with the legal minds and correct legal advice that this can be worked along.”

Clarke indicated that although one of the teachers would not have been covered under the Union to receive its support, he saw it fit for the Union to consider helping them all, since the men have families to be sustained and that they can have a means of livelihood.

“It is not about publicity…. At the end of the day it is about the welfare of our members.”

The president also took the opportunity to respond to some persons who have claimed that the Union is not making any attempts to have the men re-employed.

He noted that some of the people who are currently criticizing the Union, were actually involved in the 2005 signing of the Collective Agreement fully aware that it was in contravention of the country’s Constitution.

“And for those who have created the mess in the first place, and want to try to behave as if they can be excluded from the whole matter, I say to stop it.”

“For some persons to sit down and say the Union has not been doing anything, it’s utter nonsense and rubbish.’(JJ)