Is the Bahamas Union of Teachers being hoodwinked?
Every time the temperature rises, teachers are handed the same shiny distraction: more money. More salary. More benefits. More promises. And, predictably, attention turns toward the Government while uncomfortable questions inside BUT Headquarters quietly disappear.
It is a clever political strategy. Keep members looking across the street so they never look upstairs.
But teachers need to start asking a far more dangerous question: Where is the complete audit report?
For years, whispers and questions have circulated about union finances, dues, pension-related funds, executive spending and the true cost of BUT Headquarters. Members have raised concerns about alleged cost overruns on the headquarters project and what some describe as a seemingly “bottomless pit” requiring more and more money.
These allegations are not proof of wrongdoing. But they are more than enough reason for members to demand answers.
President Belinda Wilson should understand something very simple: transparency is not persecution.
If everything is above board, then open the books.
Produce the complete independent audits. Explain the dues. Account for the relevant funds. Explain the headquarters costs. Give members the documents and let the numbers speak.
Why should that be controversial?
Perhaps the greatest weapon of entrenched union leadership is not secrecy. It is silence. Too many weak teachers whisper privately and then become invisible publicly. Some fear confrontation, personal attacks or the combative political theatre that can greet anyone who challenges leadership.
But a union of frightened followers is not a union. It is a fan club.
Teachers cannot preach critical thinking in classrooms Monday through Friday and abandon it when dealing with their own union.
Fight for higher salaries—absolutely.
But stop letting the promise of another dollar buy your silence.
Belinda is distracting the gullible members with bluster.
Forget the noise. Follow the money.
And before BUT asks members—or anybody else—for another cent, there should be one demand echoing throughout every staffroom in The Bahamas:
SHOW US THE AUDIT.
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