Three of the four suspended executives of the Bahamas Union of Teachers intend to appeal their suspensions from that body.
President of the Union Mrs. Belinda Wilson says they are following the process and will consider all available options to have the matter resolved as soon as possible.
The Executive committee of B.U.T last week agreed to suspend Mrs. Wilson, along with the union’s Treasurer Lorriane Knowles; Secretary General, John Musgrove and Trustee, Mizpah Munroe for two months after allegedly paying themselves without authorization.
The union officers were reportedly paid in excess of $200,000 between 2015 and 2016, representing back pay for a time when they were suspended.
In addition they allegedly paid themselves for Christmas bonuses, gas allowance, casual leave and vacation pay.
It is further alleged that Mrs. Wilson authorized payments of $50,000 to herself, $50,000 to Ms. Knowles, and $5,259 to Ms. Munroe on July 12, 2017.
Another form shows that Ms. Knowles requested a cheque for $63,726.09 to be paid to Mrs. Wilson on July 4 for “back pay”.
Another form revealed that on July 4 Mrs Wilson requested a cheque for $60,774.18 to be paid to Ms Knowles.
On August 2017 documents reportedly show a transfer of funds from the B.U.T’s account to Ms Knowles’ account of some $32,418.80 and to Ms. Munroe $1,800 were made signed by Mrs. Wilson, Ms. Knowles, and Mr. Musgrove.
Mrs. Wilson has been engrossed in controversy over union funds before, as she was suspended before from her role as president.
Despite a series of suspensions, she managed to pull off a landslide election victory against her biggest opponent, Zane Lightbourne.