SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG:--- As another year draws to a close, I hope you recognize that our fight is far from overit has just begun.

Don't even assume for a second that the privileges we enjoy today won't be taken away tomorrow.

A classic illustration of how our rights are being violated is the controversy over vacation payments.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have a few days off as a holiday. Others, however, are not afforded this privilege.

As teachers, non-teaching staff, and government employees, we frequently perform unseen, behind-the-scenes duties that are essential to maintaining our economy Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, December 12th the board of the Windward Islands Teachers Union met with its members employed at the Charlotte Brookson Academy at 7:30 am for an urgent meeting concerning the nonpayment of the vacation allowance and other pressing issues.

The other pressing issues included the noncompliance with enrollment in the general pension plan, APS, and the expired labor and resident permits of several members of staff.

WITU also invited the board of CBA to a meeting to address these issues Read more

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PHILIPSBURG: --- Teachers of the St. Maarten Academy will be paid their full vacation allowance before Wednesday next week, so says President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson.
Teachers of the St. Maarten Academy held a silent protest on Wednesday morning demanding that they be paid their six per cent vacation allowance that is owed to them.
On Wednesday morning the board of directors for St Read more

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To the educators of St.Maarten,

This week, our country acknowledges and commends you for your diligent efforts on behalf of our students. Teachers have one of the most difficult and rewarding jobs because they literally shape and change lives. We honor and thank you for the crucial part you play in assisting children and enhancing the future of our country, especially during Teacher Appreciation Week.

However, I believe Teacher Appreciation Week needs a new place in our countrys calendar of events Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson sent an e-mail earlier today to both the Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and Minister of Education Rudolph Samuel covering a number of concerns affecting the education sector in St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG: --- Teachers at the St. Maarten Academy are being forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement that was given to them on Tuesday. The teachers have until Friday to sign and turn in the non-disclosure agreement.
SMN News understands that the non-disclosure agreement presented to teachers is to avoid the Ministry of Education from interfering with matters that do not concern the government or Ministry.
According to one school board member just recently the Ministry of Education including the Minister of Education barged into a meeting and demanded information on a case of alleged sexual misconduct involving a teacher Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson met with mainly WITU members of Government subsidized school boards on Wednesday afternoon.

"The reality of their hardship caused by the non-payment of the vacation allowance was brought forward," Johnson said.

Present in the meeting were union colleagues of the WISCU/PSU, NAPB, SMCU, ABVO, and WIFOL in solidarity.

Johnson before delving into the outcomes of the general membership meeting referenced his concerns about the remarks made by Deputy Prime Minister Egbert Doran.

"I believe the Honorable Minister Doran owes teaching, non-teaching staff and by extension the nation an explanation or an apology," Johnson stated.

In the spirit of transparency, Minister Doran should explain the outcome of the meeting held with the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion regarding the solution of the vacation allowance payment which he alluded to during the Council of Ministers Press Briefing on August 10, 2022.

He added, "it seems to be obvious from listening to remarks made in the recent Council of Ministers Press Briefing that he not only misspoke but gave a false hope to educators."

The WITU President expressed that, "in these challenging and financially difficult times you simply do not make such frivolous statements."

However, if Minister Doran has a solution we are eager to hear such Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Last Monday, August 8th, 2022, members of the Sint Maarten Lions Club and Omega South Leo Club welcomed instructors and many cheerful pupils of the St. Joseph School and the Marie Genevieve De Weever School back to their classrooms for the first day of the new school year. Returning students and first-year students alike were noticeably thrilled about the new school year and all of its prospects.

Principal Stuart Johnson of the Genevieve de Weever School welcomed the honorable Minister of Education, Drs Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  On Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) submitted a letter addressed to the Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs titled, Discrimination created among the teachers with non-payment of vacation allowance to subsidize school.

President of the WITU Stuart Johnson stated in his letter, As President of the WITU, I would like to bring the following to your attention requesting your intervention in this matter to bring equality, peace, and tranquility among the teaching fraternity in our beloved country.
As we stand at the beginning of the new school year 2022-2023, the board of the WITU is deeply concerned about the fact that to date the teaching and non-teaching staff employed at the various Government-subsidized school boards with the exception of the Protestant Christian Schools (3%), have not received their vacation allowance as yet.
Johnson continued in his letter stating, In representing and looking after the best interest of all concerned, WITU held various meetings with the stakeholders to come to a consensus and solution as it pertains to the vacation allowance that was paid since June 15th, 2022 to civil servants and employees of the public education Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the WITU Stuart Johnson said, "Assisting our members in any way possible will remain one of the primary goals for our members."

Members of the WITU had the opportunity to make educational posters for their classrooms or offices with resources made available by the WITU.

The event took place at the WITU's office from 12 pm until 6 pm with complimentary snacks and drinks.

"Preparing classrooms for the start of each school year is a costly out-of-pocket expense many teachers face; this has not gone unnoticed by WITU Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson minced no words by conveying, "I am profoundly saddened by the overall handling of the vacation allowance payment affecting subsidized school board employees."

He further expounded, "The precedence set by Government and the clear inequity it has caused is truly affecting the quality of education in our country," Johnson said.

On July 8, the WITU participated in a meeting with school boards and the Minister of Education, Drs Read more

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Witu And School Boards Submit Letter To The Minister Of Education.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) and the various school boards of St. Maarten submitted their letter to the Minister of Education drs. Rudolph Samuel on Monday afternoon concerning paying the vacation allowance for subsidized school board employees.

Now more than ever is not the time to even consider making any budget cuts in Education, on the contrary investments need to be made. Imagine in these economically challenging times, you would think relief would be granted Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson held an urgent virtual meeting with the Government subsidized school boards.

"The payment of the vacation allowance throughout all schools on St.Maarten has my full attention and I will not stop until everyone receives what is rightfully due to them," Johnson stated.

Present in the meeting was representatives of the SVOBE, SKOS, MAC, CBA, SPCOBE, and NIPA School boards.

The meeting was held on ZOOM on Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

One of the main concerns coming out of the meeting was that school boards feel they are being held hostage with no communication forthcoming from Government, Johnson said.

Why is the Government not responding to the school boards or even to the WITU? Johnson questioned.

You write letters and receive no response which is totally unacceptable, he added.

The 12.5% cut to the annual subsidy of the Government subsidized school boards is having a severe effect on the quality of education and the working morale of staff members.

Government should be leading by example! Johnson stated.

"One of the concerns expressed by School Boards is that they received several letters of instruction from the Government of St Read more

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St. Maarten Academy Teachers Will Not Be Paid 2022 Vacation Allowance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Over 100 teachers of the St. Maarten Academy both sections will not be receiving their 2022 vacation allowance confirmed member of the Academy Board Roland Duncan.
Teachers of the St. Maarten Academy were paid their vacation allowance in 2020 and 2021 despite the government having a law that states that no vacation allowance should have been paid from 2020 Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) in collaboration with the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) hosted a Capacity Building Training for its members and colleague Union representatives.

The training event was held over the past weekend at the Sundial School and it was sponsored by the CUT.

The training focused on The Landsverordening Materieel Ambtenarenrecht (LMA) and Collective Bargaining (CB).

Presenters were the Honorable Acting Governor of St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson said, Our members feel overworked, underpaid, and burnt out to the core. At times they are tired. However, the ongoing saga of the pending payment of the vacation allowances must end now once and for all.

Johnson submitted the petition on Tuesday afternoon at the Government Administration Building Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 the President of the Windward Island Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson dispatched a letter to the Honorable Minister of Education drs. Rudolph Samuel.

Johnson in his letter stated, The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) notes and with great disquiet that the timetable for the sitting of the CSEC and CAPE examinations has been released Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson said, today is the day we put the rights of teaching and non-teaching staff back as a priority in St. Maarten.

The WITU President outlined the contents of the petition that has nine points of motivation and all WITU members are being called to sign it in solidarity.

The nine points of motivation in the petition are:

1 Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---: President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson expressed his profound appreciation to everyone that attended the first WITU Zumba event hosted for its members and the community.

The WITU Zumba Event was held on the Boardwalk on Saturday Morning.

"I wish to thank everyone that showed up Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson revealed his position on the proposed cost-cutting measures which are affecting the working class of St.Maarten.

"It seems there have been a lot of discussions and ad hoc decisions but there is no agreement solidified with WITU, Johnson said Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson recently met with the staff of the Charlotte Brookson Academy (CBA).

Johnson was accompanied by WITU Treasurer Robert Rawlins and WITU Board Member Silvy Ravenberg.

"I'm proud of this historical moment by you joining WITU but I wish it was under more positive work conditions for you," Johnson stated.

It's the first time staff of CBA joined the membership of WITU starting with eight new members strong.

The staff outlined a list of concerns facing them as they sought this important meeting with the WITU.

"Let me assure you I am here with you every step of the way, and it is time your hard work is properly valued," Johnson told the staff.

WITU has already submitted a request to convene a meeting with the Board of CBA at the soonest opportunity.

"CBA has the potential to be an exceptional performing arts school for our country but its full potential remains untapped," Johnson said.

"There must be a vision forward for CBA and the cries of the staff cannot be ignored anymore Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson is calling for the full disclosure of the Health Inspectorate report and all previous reports made for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School since the passage of Hurricane Irma.

"All reports especially the latest report must be made public regarding the ongoing situation at school as the school was never a priority," says Johnson.

Truth be told, it was the WITU that alerted the Health Inspectorate about the situation at the school and did so formally via an e-mail correspondence, stated Johnson.
Johnson added, I must dispel the misconception as if I simply appeared on the campus as I was called by the staff members of WITU which I represent."

Notable to mention for the record was that on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, email correspondence was dispatched to the Health Inspectorate from the WITU.

If it wasnt for the attention being brought to this ongoing issue by the WITU the matter would have remained unresolved by the Ministry of ECYS Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson reacted to Honorable Member of Parliament (MP) Christophe Emmanuel via a press release on Monday morning.
Johnson minced no words in saying, "MP Emmanuel needs to know which direction he should take his concerns and do not so at the expense of the unions."
There is much concern about the selective payout by Government but it hasn't gone unnoticed by WITU Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---The President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson submitted a letter to the Honorable Minister of Education drs. Rudolph Samuel on Friday, March 4th, 2022 regarding the ongoing situation at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School.

In the letter, Johnson outlined, on behalf of our members of the WITU and by extension our concern for all staff along with students I am sending you correspondence.

Below is a list of grievances as presented to me by several members of staff:

Physical Features of the school:
1 Read more

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