By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Incumbent Quinton LaRoda was re-elected to serve a third consecutive term as area vice-president for the Bahamas Union of Teachers.

Mr LaRoda captured 64 per cent of the votes when teachers on Grand Bahama went to the polls last week.

“I feel very good about it and it validates all the hard work I have put in during my term,” he said.

“The teachers in GB have demonstrated that if you work hard and lead well, they will support you.”

Mr LaRoda defeated opponents Vinson Rolle and Roy Roberts. He thanked teachers for their “tremendous support” in Grand Bahama.

However, the area vice president expressed concerns about the level of participation.

“What is necessary throughout the country is that there needs to be a massive education and re-introduction of teachers to the BUT.

“We made some in-roads in 2005 getting members more involved in the union, and President Black also created some changes in the constitution to increase membership participation.

“But I don’t think we are near the level where we should be, and so we have to educate our members about the ideals of unionism: why the union exits, what is the role of the union, and what the role of the executive team is.”

Mr LaRoda stated that the union has some 4,000 members.

“Our role is to turn members into unionists,” he stressed.

Secondly, he noted that the union must focus on being a more economically viable organisation.

The union is presently constructing a $1 million building on Grand Bahama which will serve as BUT headquarters.

It will also offer of rental spaces.

“We can’t depend on dues alone to fund the BUT operation. We also have to make some investments and create streams of income other than the monthly dues,” he said.

Mr LaRoda said the union must also seek to increase membership and prepare teachers to contribute positively to delivering quality education in the Bahamas.

He noted that the main concern of teachers overall is the outstanding funds owed them by government.

Mr LaRoda reported that funds have accrued to almost $5 million. He noted that some teachers are owed funds for ten years.

“We have to get that because it would help to alleviate the burden that some teachers face on Grand Bahama,” he said.