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 ABOUT US
SYNOPSIS OF
B.U.T
The Bahamas Union of Teachers was founded in 1947 when a group of teachers decided to protest the way they were being treated by the Board of Education at that time. Sis Mabel Walker was the founding President and Sis Ivy Dumont was the Secretary General.
In 1965 under the leadership of Bro. Artemus Cox, President and Sis Susan Wallace , Secretary General the union applied for and received recognition as the bargaining unit for all teachers in the public schools system.
The union grew from strength to strength and in 1981 President, E.K. Minnis and Secretary General, Bro. A.L Archer led teachers in a massive show of solidarity when schools throughout this nation had to be closed for three weeks because teachers went on strike. This historic strike was a bold effort to secure better working conditions and a decent salary increase.
Since the 1981 strike the Teachers Union has become a militant force to reckon with and has engaged in various industrial actions such as demonstrations, sit-ins, sick outs and marches. Throughout the years teachers have become more united and have begun to take a greater interest in the union thus increasing membership.
In 1985 President Donald Symonette and his executives made another historic move when they campaigned for and won a vote for Agency Shop. This means that all teachers in the public school system who are not members have to pay the union 90% of whatever the dues are because all teachers, members and non-members, benefit from whatever the union negotiates. However, it was not until 1989 that the union was able to start collecting its Agency Shop Contributions. Bro Donald Symonette has the record of being the longest serving President.
Currently Mrs. Ida Poitier-Turnquest is the President of this great union. She has just begun her first term in office. She will be serving for 3 years (2005-2008)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN B.U.T
The B.U.T. Secretariat and registered office are located at 104 Bethel Avenue in a two-story building with apartment units upstairs.. There is also a district office in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
The membership currently stands at some 3,000 +.
Presently the Executive is made up of the:
President
Vice President
Secretary General
Treasurer
2 Trustees
4 A.V.P. (Area Vice President)
5 Executive Member
BENEFITS
Union members are eligible to:
a) Join the Major Medical Plan
b) Enjoy discounts from major business houses
c) Participate in all union sponsored activities
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B.U.T. INFORMATION HIGHLIGHTS 
