over conference dates -- by unanimously deciding to continue full-steam ahead.

BUT president Michael Charles said he faxed a letter to Chief Education Officer Joseph Christopher informing him of the BUT's decision made at a meeting Thursday afternoon.

More than 90 members of the BUT attended the meeting -- and the vote deciding to go ahead with the conference was unanimous with no abstentions.

The initial conflict arose over the Education Ministry's decision to hold its professional development day on the same day as the conference.

According to Mr. Charles, the Ministry -- which was set to hold its professional development day on November 9 -- election day, pulled rank and demanded to hold the event on November 10.

And the Ministry had given the BUT an ultimatum that it could hold its conference in the morning of November 10 -- or cancel it altogether.

But Mr. Charles said Dr. Christopher responded to the BUT's decision yesterday -- after taking legal counsel -- by "begrudgingly conceding'' the point.

However, Mr. Charles said the letter contained a "veiled threat'' that the day may not be available to the BUT in the future.

"This is our 15th year...we started our conference because there was no professional development for teachers, and the Ministry has only started providing professional development in the last five or six years,'' said Mr.

Charles.

"It's rather strange that Dr. Christopher would now be in this opposing position, since he was part of the Union and part of the negotiations at the time.

"It's ironic that we're having to fight him for the day, because he knew how important it was,'' he added.

And Mr. Charles said Dr. Christopher's response suggested there was a "distinct possibility'' that the Ministry may disrupt the BUT conference by forcing teachers to go to Ministry workshops.

"In other words, they're not honouring our event,'' he added.

According to Mr. Charles, the BUT annual conference has historically been a well-attended event that encouraged teachers seeking to develop their professional skills.

"The teachers enjoy our workshops -- there are 30 or so to choose from -- and our post-conference surveys are always positive,'' he said.

"And the teachers have said that some of the Ministry's workshops are totally inadequate -- a complete waste of time.

"Our conference is not a "day off'' -- it's a time when teachers can recharge their batteries, meet with their colleagues, and we encourage teachers to get really fired up about going back into the classrooms.'' When contacted yesterday evening, Dr. Christopher stated: "I've already communicated with the BUT, and I don't feel it's necessary to make any comment.''