The UPE has commenced industrial action at the Institute of Tourism Studies, the union said Tuesday..

Despite the UPE's best efforts to find a satisfactory resolution to the major problems at the Institute, ITS has failed in its responsibilities on several fronts, including the safe running of the kitchen and restaurants, consultation with the lecturing staff and ensuring the moral, health and safety and the pedagogical well-being of the lecturers and students. This has left the UPE with no option but to call for industrial action, the union said.

Among the directives issued, teaching staff have been instructed not to teach, lecture or do practical sessions when assigned mixed classes of different levels such as foundation and diploma classes. The correction of and assigning of marks on paper, orally or digitally to mixed classes of different levels has been put into place. Union members have also been directed to refrain from teaching in areas in the school that do not allow them to have a view of all students during practical sessions in order to safeguard the health and safety of the students and lecturers. 

UPE said it regretted the ITS intransigence on these matters, but looks forward in good faith to a constructive dialogue with ITS management where the welfare of students and teaching staff is given priority.