Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson said yesterday that the teachers are "seriously considering" a strike vote.
"The BUT is not on strike yet and is seriously considering a strike vote," Wilson said.
This after Director of Labour Robert Farquharson warned public school teachers earlier this week that further industrial action would be illegal because trade disputes filed against the government by the BUT have been referred to the Industrial

Tribunal.
But yesterday, Wilson dismissed his warning.
"I want to remind Director Farquharson that both the union and the government must abide by the law, and he should not be spreading the government's propaganda but making sure that they follow his instructions," Wilson said in a statement.
"He needs to warn the government, not the union."
During a press conference on Thursday, Farquharson said under the Industrial Relations Act, once grievances are forwarded to the tribunal, it is illegal to engage or encourage industrial action. He said a letter was sent to the BUT on November 20, explaining that the trade disputes had been sent to the tribunal for arbitration.
He also said that the Ministry of Education has suspended the process of cutting the salaries of teachers who took part in a September 9 demonstration, pending a Supreme Court decision on
the matter.
"These matters are of national importance, but what is important for me is to ensure that the statute laws of The Bahamas are followed," Farquharson said at the press conference at the Department of Labour.
"Once a matter has been referred to the Industrial Tribunal, all industrial action must cease. And any talk about strike action relative to this dispute, if it is done, will be in contravention of the act. That's very important for members of the Bahamas Union of Teachers to be aware [of]."
Wilson said the BUT was not informed that the pay cut was suspended and said she was "surprised to hear the director of labor inform the public via a press conference".
She added that the BUT has petitioned the court for access to school campuses.
The BUT has communicated to the International Labour Organization (ILO) on two matters including union denied access to school campuses and the health and safety concerns at Stephen Dillet and Uriah McPhee Primary Schools.
Those are just some of the concerns that the BUT says it has with the Ministry of Education.
Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said on multiple occasions that the BUT will only be allowed on campus during after school hours or in the case of an emergency.
But Wilson insists that the Ministry of Education can not deny the union access during school hours.
As it relates to the health and safety concerns, Fitzgerald said the ministry has spent over $700,000 affecting repairs to both schools.
He said both institutions have been approved by the Department of Environmental Health for occupancy.
He added that at no time did the school environment pose health risks to students.
The BUT filed seven trade disputes against the Ministry of Education between September 2 and 25, Farquharson said. He said three conciliation meetings were held that month to address the issues.
On November 6, the BUT issued a cease order for all teachers who normally participate in afterschool activities as the union began work to rule throughout the country.

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