Dec. 1, 2006 — The V.I. Federation of Teachers is reaching out to its counterparts around the region by hosting the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Executive meeting along with the president of the American Federation of Teachers.
"We are honored to host the CUT members and AFT President McElroy," said Tyrone Molyneaux, local ATF president. "We are discussing common issues and concerns."
The meeting, which began at about 5:30 p.m., was held at the St. Croix Educational Complex. Edward J. McElroy, president of the 1.3 million-member AFT, spoke to the approximately 40 local members in attendance about the power of unions in shaping the political climate.
He said in the recent elections, teachers unions around the country helped effect a power shift in Washington, D.C. "We engaged in an unprecedented political campaign, and now comes the test."
Issues such as the No Child Left Behind Act and trade unions in jeopardy of losing or having their pensions reduced should "outrage" the members, he said.
"They were killing us," McElroy said. "Everything we were for, they [the Bush administration] were against." He urged local members to keep the pressure on politicians to get the tools they need.
Bringing the point closer to home, Molyneaux spoke about the GERS and the position of the local AFT. "We as a union contribute more to the system" than any other group, he said. The local union recently wrote to the Legislature asking for more public input before any changes are made to the system.
Molyneaux said McElroy and more than 25 CUT members have been on St. Croix since Wednesday. The group held several meetings discussing common issues and visiting schools on St. Croix. Sightseeing tours were also included. The group is scheduled to leave the territory Sunday.
CUT members, representing 22 Caribbean countries and islands, got a chance to introduce themselves at Friday's meeting. Each representative sent a message of welcome and gave thanks for the hospitality shown to them during their stay on St. Croix.
CUT President Byron Farquharson of Jamaica commented on the strength of the organization. "We see the possibility that once we work together the teaching profession will grow stronger."
The territory joined CUT in 2003. This is the first time a meeting of that organization has been held in the territory.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
