Bahamas Supreme Court orders BEMU members back to work

The Supreme Court of the Bahamas has issued an interim injunction ordering members of the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU) to return to work following industrial action that disrupted public schools. Justice Darron Ellis barred union officers and members from participating in strikes, refusing to report to work, or leaving their workplaces while on duty. The court also prohibited the union from inducing or intimidating employees to avoid work.

The industrial action, which occurred just one day into the new school year, led to the early dismissal of students at numerous schools across New Providence and Grand Bahama. BEMU President Stephen McPhee stated the strike was driven by unresolved employment issues, specifically a lack of substantive principals, district officers, and other critical technical and education officers across several islands.

The Ministry of Education noted that seven of the country’s 163 public schools are currently operating without substantive principals. While the union has expressed frustration over communication with the Ministry, the Bahamas Union of Teachers clarified that their members were not participating in this specific industrial action.