Newly elected President of the Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT), Jude Bartholomew has been detained by Police in Grenada.
Well-placed sources told THE NEW TODAY that Bartholomew was called in and asked to report to the St. David’s Police Station.
A source close to the union said that several members of the GUT Executive are currently making their way from across the island to the police station as a show of support for their President.
There are reports that the top brass of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) from head office in the city are currently at the station to lead the questioning of the trade union leader.
According to a well-placed source, Bartholomew had called teachers to inform them of the call he received from the police and was advised to secure a lawyer to go into the station.
Speculation is rife that the police are questioning the GUT President about the protest demonstration called by the union last week to press ahead with the demands of teachers for their 4% increase in salary that should have come into effect at the end of January.
One teacher told THE NEW TODAY that the move by the police is being interpreted as an attempt by the Keith Mitchell-led government to intimidate teachers who have vowed to continue with their protest action until the 4% salary increase is paid.
Prime Minister Mitchell has stated that the ruling New National Party (NNP) cannot pay the increase at this point in time due to financial constraints as a result of a loss in revenue due to the coronavirus impact on the country in the past year.
The regime has promised to make the payment no later than December 30, 2021.
Dr. Mitchell is the current Minister of National Security with the police falling under his portfolio.
