President of the Dominica Association of Teachers -
Mrs. Celia Nicholas Proudly displays a copy of HIV & AIDS Policy Booklet.

The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) workshop on Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation was recently hosted by the St. Lucia Teachers Union (SLTU) at the Palm Haven Hotel, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet in Saint Lucia from March 12th to 14th. The workshop was held in association with the Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF), the National Education Association (NEA), National Emergency management Organisation (NEMO, St. Lucia) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Response Agency (CEDERA).

The workshop was attended by representatives of the member organizations of the CUT, Chairpersons of Women’s Committees of some units, members of the Caribbean Union of Teachers Committee on the Status of Women as well as sponsoring organizations. The workshop was organized by the CUT at this time as it is widely recognized that the Caribbean is the second most vulnerable region for natural disasters and the fact that the CUT understands how critically important it is for teachers and union leaders be properly prepared through relevant training so that they can render the necessary assistance when disaster occurs.

TTUTA was represented by Ms. Angela McAlister, Chairman of TTUTA’s Mommittee on the Status of Women, Ms. Dianne Antione, committee member and Ms. Komaldi Chotai, committee member and national treasurer. Ms Indra Ramsingh- Geoffroy attended as a member of the CUT’s Status of Women Committee.

The fifty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 2 to 13 March 2009.

The Priority theme: considered was: “The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care giving in the context of HIV/AIDS”

The session was attended by representatives of Member States, UN entities and of ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world. The Trade Union Group was represented by representatives of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Public Services International (PSI) and Educational International (EI). The Caribbean Union of Teachers Status of Women Committee (CUTSOWC) was represented by Indra Ramsingh-Geoffroy. Ms. Judith Spencer -Jarrett, Chairperson of the CUTSOWC and Ms. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, EI Regional Coordinator was also in attendance.

The labor delegation met each morning at 8.00 a.m. for briefing at the United Nations Headquarters and then to debrief at 6.00 p.m. Members of the delegation also attended an orientation at the Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies on Sunday 1 March, 2009, 2 pm to 5pm which included the following:
Briefing and interactive discussions on the background to the Commission on the Status of Women and its 53rd Session – Gemma Adaba, ITUC
The CSW53 priority theme: The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care giving in the context of HIV/AIDS – Chidi King, PSI

Caribbean Union of Teachers Status of Women Committee (CUTSOWC) 10th Anniversary Celebrations

This year the CUTSOWC plans for its 10th Anniversary Celebrations. Among the plans are the following:
Recognition of original committee members. The original CUT/SOWC members are: Virginia Albert (Saint Lucia, Avril Crawford (Guyana), Elaine McQueen (Grenada), Joy Gittens (Barbados), Undene Whittaker (Barbados), Rosamunde John (Dominica) and Helena Cartwright (Bahamas)
Preparation of a special issue of CARIWOT. To recognize the outstanding officers during the period.
A special luncheon to recognize and award the first officers and outstanding members at the Biennial Conference in Grenada.
Design of a special commemorative pin.
Recognize 10 key issues that have been on the committee’s agenda e.g. HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence & Violence against Women, Leadership etc.
Each unit to highlight progress and achievements over the 10 year period as well as historical documentary of each unit over the past 10 years.
Recognize consistency of units which have remained active throughout out the period.
Integration of CUTSOWC Activities in the Biennial Conference as well as other CUT Activities
CUT Units are kindly asked to send suggestions.

The just concluded Caribbean Union of Teachers’ Les Harris Cricket Competition saw an exciting finish as usual with defending champions Barbados and archrivals Trinidad & Tobago playing to a nail biting tie but the defending champions were relieved of their title by new-comers Jamaica. The excitement continued in a final round encounter at Arnos Vale 1 in the gem of the Caribbean, St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Five teams participated in the tournament, including St. Lucia and hosts St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The final point standings saw Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago at the top of the standings with 10 points each, Barbados with 7, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, 4 and St. Lucia 1. Jamaica was adjudged winner on net run rate. Receiving the trophy for most runs was Greg Oliver (Jamaica) amassing a total of 180 runs, most wickets, veteran Dennis Osbourne (Barbados) scalping 7 wickets and the most valuable player Samuel Badree (T&T) scoring 125 runs and getting 5 wickets.

The teams were hosted at a welcome function hosted by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Dr. the Honorable Ralph Gonzalves and Mrs. Gonzalves, at a lavish function at the P.M.’s official residence in Montrose. The gathering of teacher cricketers, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports & Culture, executive members of the St. Vincent & the Grenadines Teachers’ Union (SVGTU) as well as members of the cricketing fraternity of the host country.

Story by: Cobin Hinds.
Public Relations Officer, Barbados Union of Teachers

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) will be taking on the mighty Trinidadians in the Caribbean Union of Teachers' Biennial Les Harris Memorial 30 overs cricket tournament in St. Vincent and the Grenadines next week. The tournament has attracted five units of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) which include hosts St. Vincent and the Grenadines Union of Teachers (SGVUT), the St. Lucia Teachers' Union (SLTU), the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA), first timers Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) and the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT).

The matches will be played at Arnos Vale 1 & 2 and will start at 10.30 am each day. The BUT are defending champions having won for two consecutive years and on three previous occasions since the tournament was inaugurated in the nineties. This followed an initiative by former BUT president, Jeffrey Broomes, who was very instrumental in starting the Les Harris Memorial cricket tournament for Caribbean teachers' unions.

The Barbados team comprise Anthony Headley (captain), Dennis Osbourne (vice-captain), Neval Grazettes, Andre' Brathwaite, Dwight Carter, Dwayne Best, Rohan Nurse, Brian Forde, Jeffrey Burke, Renaldo Parris, Shane Jordan, Carlitos Lopez and Mervin Sandiford.

The team manager and coach is Adrian King, while Brian Forde is the Assistant Manager.

The team leaves Barbados on Saturday, April 4 at 1.30 pm for St. Vincent & the Grenadines.