The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

BELINDA Wilson, president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Unions Congress (BNATUC), insisted she has no political affiliations, a position she has maintained for over two decades.

Speaking On The Record with Jerome Sawyer last week, Mrs Wilson was adamant that her involvement in politics ended after her independent run in the 2002 Carmichael election, where she received just 68 votes. She said she has not attended a political rally or function since 1997 and carries no allegiance to any party.

“I belong to no party. I carry no card for anybody, and I carry no allegiance to any party,” she said.

She recalled applying for a nomination for the Free National Movement (FNM) in October 2001, but said this was a one-time attempt and did not mark the beginning of any political career.

“If I wanted to run, I would have to consult with my husband, my daughter, my family, and the members of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, who pay my salary,” she said.

The veteran union leader said unions should remain politically neutral to preserve their strength and credibility. She warned against unions becoming too closely tied to political factions, as such relationships can erode their ability to effectively advocate for workers.

“When you get in bed with the politicians, you compromise your union and its members,” she said. “Once a union leader forms political ties, negotiations become about personal deals, not workers’ rights.”

She voiced her frustration with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government.

“You,” she said, “could meet with the Haitian pastors, but you can’t meet with union leaders who are trying to discuss pertinent issues relevant to thousands of workers?”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis addressed a Haitian church in Abaco last week.