NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Supreme Court has ordered members of the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union to return to work and barred them from continuing industrial action following widespread disruption at public schools on Tuesday.
The interim injunction, granted by Justice Darron Ellis, restrains BEMU, its officers and members from taking part in strike activity or any other form of industrial action against the Ministry of Education, including refusing to report to work or leaving their workplaces while scheduled to be on duty.
The court also ordered union officers and members employed by the Ministry to return to their assigned workplaces and report for duty as scheduled. The injunction further prohibits BEMU from inducing, intimidating or encouraging employees not to attend work.
The order was sought by the Ministry of Education and the Attorney General after Tuesday’s industrial action disrupted school operations and led to the early dismissal of students, just one day into the new school year.
The Ministry said senior officers from both the Ministry and Department of Education were deployed to schools throughout New Providence to monitor operations, provide support and assist with maintaining the safe and orderly operation of affected campuses.
Public schools were dismissed at noon Tuesday as the industrial action continued, sending thousands of students and teachers home.
The dispute comes as BEMU has raised concerns over a number of outstanding employment matters, including vacant principal posts, promotions and reclassifications.
According to the Ministry, seven of the country’s 163 public schools are currently operating without substantive principals — four in New Providence, two in Grand Bahama and one in Acklins.
The Ministry said the process to fill the seven vacancies began before the start of the new school year. The positions were advertised and applications were advanced to the Public Service Commission on July 22, about one month after the vacancies were advertised.
Officials said the Ministry is now awaiting the start of the PSC’s interview process.
“As with appointments and promotions throughout the Public Service, these recommendations must proceed through the established Public Service process before substantive appointments can be made,” the Ministry said.
It maintained that it has completed the steps required at this stage of the appointment process.
The Ministry also acknowledged other longstanding matters raised by BEMU involving promotions, reclassifications and related issues, saying they remain at various stages of review or resolution.
Officials said the Ministry remains prepared to engage the union and work toward resolving the outstanding matters.
Under the interim injunction, BEMU is permitted to apply to the court to have the order varied or discharged. The parties are due back before Justice Ellis at 10, on Thursday morning, September 3.
The Ministry said all public schools are expected to resume normal operations on Wednesday, September 2.
