A letter for Michael Dunkley, the Premier

of Bermuda

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the three million members of the National Education Association, I write to you with serious concerns regarding your government and its actions with the Bermuda Union of Teachers. Through Education International, representing more than 370 organisations in 172 countries and territories, our two organisations work together to advance quality public education.

It has come to our attention that the Bermuda Government has issued a Notice of Hearing in Court, November 24 to 26, to the Bermuda Union of Teachers and to the other public service unions in Bermuda. We hope that the Government will respect collective bargaining agreements as it acts on this. The Bermuda Union of Teachers showed good faith in January in working with the Government to address budget shortfalls; this effort was largely ignored by you after budgetary solutions were mutually agreed upon between the Government and the unions.

I hope that the Government and the unions will continue to seek resolution before the court summons date, as well as to honour ILO conventions ratified by the Bermuda Government.

The National Education Association of the United States, and our Education International colleagues around the globe, will be watching for positive progress in Bermuda.

Sincerely,

LILY ESKELSEN GARCÍA

President,

National Education Association

Vice-president, Education

International for North America

and the Caribbean