By Kisean Joseph
With a handful of payments to teachers still outstanding up to last night, educators across the country were poised to continue their sit-in on Friday.
Teachers started industrial action on Wednesday, just days into the new school year, after becoming fed up with waiting for long overdue – and long promised – cheques.
Led by the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (A&BUT), more than 1,200 members have refused to work until retroactive upgrade payments are made to approximately 330 educators.
“We’re at a point where we’ve had to say enough is enough,” the union’s General Secretary Sharon Kelsick said.
“This issue has been ongoing since 2021, and despite reaching an agreement last October on payment schedules, the Ministry of Education has consistently moved the goalposts without proper consultation.”
The union has shown remarkable solidarity. Despite only a fraction of members still being owed money, dating back several years, the entire membership has united behind the cause.
“The response has been incredible and unanimous,” Kelsick noted. “Every teacher is willing to sit down to support their colleagues who are supposed to be getting this payment.”
Up to Thursday evening, all but a small number of teachers had received their cheques. Kelsick told Observer the ministry was “working feverishly” on the remainder.
Director of Education Clare Browne said he was hopeful schools would resume normal operations on Friday morning.
While acknowledging the industrial action’s negative impact on students, Kelsick said it was necessary.
“We cannot get away from the negative impact this might have on our students,” she admitted. “Time is a precious commodity within the education system, and we want to get back to them as soon as possible.
“However, history has shown that every time we’ve been gracious and allowed the ministry extra time, they just keep pushing back the deadlines.”
She made it clear that the union would not stand idly by if the government attempted to penalise teachers for their participation in the sit-in.
Kelsick also expressed hope for a swift resolution.
“We are hoping that everything can be resolved within this first week of school so that we can hit the ground running come next week,” she added.
