The Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT) will not put up with Ministry officials using "intimidatory tactics", and Government acting without consultation.

That was the warning message from Roustan Job, president of the Caribbean Union of Teachers, at the BUT's 90th anniversary banquet on Saturday.

Mr. Job revealed: "Sometime in the last year I had cause to write to your Minister of Education and also your Permanent Secretary on a matter that threatened at its very core the existence of the BUT.

"The concern that was raised was one of non-consultation with the recognised bargaining body for teachers of Bermuda. Colleagues let me say this to you, the concept of partnerships has often been used in international resolutions adopted by governments, but sometimes the relationship between governments and teachers is often forgotten in this context.

"Recently, and not only in Bermuda, unions have been bombarded with complaints from teachers about the attitudes of some ministries of education. These officials have been using intimidatory tactics to implement certain measures that affect the day to day dispensation of the work of teachers.

"Our ministries of education must be reminded that teachers are not objects that can be moved around and mobilised, but are partners with whom they have to work together."

Mr. Job urged both the Government and the BUT to ensure that the mechanisms for information sharing, consultation and negotiation remain intact, adding: "Furthermore, even if this is in place, decisions arrived at must be implemented expeditiously and in the manner prescribed by both parties. In some instances this has not been the case.

"It seems that there is a plot to hold 'genuine' discussions' and then do an about-turn on what was decided upon. This Ministry of Education must heed the warning that the Bermuda Union of Teachers will not allow this to happen."

The breakfast banquet, held at the Fairmont Southampton resort, was attended by Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Premier Ewart Brown, Minister of Education Elvin James and Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing David Burch.

In her address, president of the BUT Keisha Douglas said she was in awe of what the organisation — Bermuda's first trade union has achieved over the last 90 years.

She noted: "We stand here today with pressing challenges that still lie before us in education. I know Bermuda, that together we can continue to ensure quality education and quality teaching for every single student in our charge which will allow us to collectively strengthen and build an outstanding public education system."