Pringle condemns Browne’s remarks
about teachers as ‘callous’ and says PM should apologize
The Hon. Jamale Pringle is condemning Prime Minister Browne’s recent disparagement of local educators as “callous and uncaring,” proving that he has neither empathy for the affected teachers nor respect for their Union.
In response to the industrial action taken by the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT) since last Friday, May 2, a visibly furious PM Browne lashed out at the teachers, with uncomplimentary remarks, questioning their commitment to their students and profession.
The Union’s action – reportedly taken after having given notice – stemmed from the Browne Administration’s failure to honour promises to compensate several classes of teachers, with those not affected choosing to “sit in” in solidarity.
The worst part of the prime minister’s diatribe, says MP Pringle, was his “So what?” – his response to his Administration’s admitted failure to pay. “This level of insensitivity should not be directed at the teachers – or to any public-sector worker,” says the Opposition Leader.
“Considering the length of time they have been waiting; the level of their pay; and the challenging conditions many of them are working under, that is not the tone the prime minister should be using. He should have apologized then for the delay and he should be apologizing now for his rudeness.”
Pringle says the United Progressive Party considers the situation unfortunate, especially as it is preventing contact time with students in the critical third term. However the Party recognizes the action as the Union’s wake-up call to the authorities, and it hopes that payment to all affected members will be satisfied in the shortest time.
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why Pringle always hiding like a pink behind some looooonnnnngggg boring press release somebody write for him? Don’t he has his own voice to talk for himself?? ain’t nobody reading them long af shitty releases pringle
My boy Pringle these constant issuing of press releases just make you look weak as a leader. It would be even more effective commenting on the issue in the media in a timely manner. I do not know who is advising you but the stategy being used is ineffective and a waste of time. It does not move the needle or change anything one bit in the UPP’s favour. You guys need to wake up and be more strategic. Also, one needs to see you as a leader write something on anything and present it as your own (please not something written by some one else). In doing that people will begin to gain more confidence in you. As it stands now, there are people who believe you cannot write anything to save your life. You need to disprove that belief. I can recall as Opposition Leader Gaston presented a paper he wrote on taxation. A leader does not need to be a scholar, but at least he should be able to articulate clearly both orally and in writing. Please write something and not something from Gisele Isaac your Party Chair.
I wish he would just shut up! He’s such an embarrassment and , really, should speak only when given the go-ahead by those who know better! STAND DOWN, boy…who also happens to be “little” …. …and “black!”
The most educated, intelligent and best orator and leader in the modern world , President Barack Obama had a speech write. Just google who was Obama speech write and a few names would certainly show up at different periods in his political life.
Then google his political advisors an entire different list of names would appear for different areas .
So we are foolish to be thinking that Pringle should not have anyone writing for him. I am absolutely sure he could have spoken on the radio without anyone telling him what to say on this issue.
I don’t know why we keep mentioning D. Gisele. Isaac name in everything. This was a good response to the anger statement that the PM voiced. The response from Pringle and the UPP was on point.
However let me put my spin. I personally do not like how the teachers Union is handling these issues. I wrote some time back when had striked, that we the public are in support and will wish that they then bring all their issues to the table. That I supported their industrial action then but I will not support them doing so for different issues over and over. This is exactly what has happened over the past year. They strike for security, then the strike for summer payment, they strike for upgrade letters, they strike for back pay, not in chronological order. Soon they will be striking again for the upgrade money. So the public been in full support of the teachers thus far but there will become a time that it will become a political issue.
I am not one to be unfair- the PM needs to be more diplomatic in his responses. His government/administration needs to set their priorities right. There should be no one nation concert and civil servants are owed for years. Pensioners not getting paid, people are dying because of the poor hospital operations- lack of basic medicine. I had a pain in my chest recently and there was no one to do the ECG. I left the hospital without getting it done. Could have lost my life. Too many of our contractors and suppliers to government are treated like trash- when they go to the treasury to collect what is due to them. Think the teachers are bad , they have a union. The people that supply this government will goods are services are treated like dogs. Many of they have been bankrupt by this government. Most of them ABLP supporters. The people that the government rent buildings from are treated like dogs. Mr.Ryan got a scolding from Max Hurst recently when he locked his doors because he has not been paid for years. The same thing with the gentleman that deposited his money in our Offshore Bank. He was told that he has money and behaving like a fool for his own money. The government ambassador Young should have been in prison for disregarding and disrespecting the court orders. So many ordinary people and their pickney are behind 1735 for not being able to meet far less order by the courts. Young unemployed fathers are behind bars for child support because they failed to meet the court orders. Young on purpose keeps on stretching the court arms and twisting the Judges legs and they keep on letting him off scotch free.
So the government needs to be more accountable with tax payers money. Too much corruption in public office from top to bottom. The civil servants that handle government money/payments/contracts are involved in too much corruption- especially the treasury and PWD. Mr. PS at public works you are an honorable man. Stamp down on the cesspool of corruption. Please sir we believe and respect you highly. Don’t trust that director for a second.
Hey teachers, nurses and most of the civil servants and none established workers and contractors are getting the shitty end of the stick. Just a few getting stinking wealthy, mostly through corruption and self enrichment.
Now a word of caution to the teacher union chairman. Make sure you put all your cards on the table once and for all. Don’t use the teacher to play politics, to wheel the power you were dreaming of. I have not forgotten that you wanted to run on UPP ticket and Hon. Jamal Pringle got the nod over you as the candidate for All Saints East and St.Luke constituency. So you are now basking in the spotlight. Get some advice from David Massiah on union matters and negotiations. Our children are suffering in this the last and most crucial term. It’s exam term. It’s CXC term , it’s common entrance exams and promotion term. PUT EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE NOW !!!!
@Frankly speaking the issue is not about leaders having speech writers. Yes, even Obama the Harvard educated lawyer had speech writers as President. The point to consider though FRANKLY SPEAKING, is that even without his speech writers Obama can write his own speech. The reason he would not do that all the time is the ISSUE of time. The Antiguan electorate needs to see that Pringle can stand on his own without props. That would be the difference between Obama and Pringle or between Pringle and any of the current leaders in the Caribbean. All of you in the UPP must stop being apologetic and FACE REALITY. Nuff said in response to your comment.
go fix the roads in Swetes an shut up
So Pringle is the villain! Some folks have already been indoctrinated and have accepted the new culture of real nastiness. There is an elected member who appears unable to advance from his gutter days and his followers are keeping the path maintained. None of these people has recognized the plight of the teachers but Pringle’s call is under attack. I suppose when your welfare is dependent on anyone, that person is king.
@ Rovi the problem is the UPP has become a Press Release opposition party. Press Releases have its place in political activism, but it seems with the UPP it is almost everything. Can you recall the ABLP in Opposition putting out a damn press release for every issue? Looks like the UPP just lub writing. I guess the Chair whose profession is writing is exercising her profession for Pringle the leader to execute.
Observer – I am no way a member or supporter of the UPP. I also do not see anyone in Antigua amongst the present crop of politicians that that if it was my vote has the credentials to hold the office of the PM.
In the beginning I thought that Gaston Browne would have become a great PM, he has the ability. However, he has failed in many ways. A good PM should be able to make sacrifices. Live off his or her salary. This country pays them a good salary and full salary after serving a few terms. Unless most of us that have to work until it’s just about time to say goodbye to life on planet earth. If the person had prior investments, that ok. However, no should use of public office , inside knowledge for self enrichment for themselves and their families.
Secondly the corruption throughout the government system is as bold as daylight. The civil servants are also following the leads of the politicians. Many of them are so corrupt it not funny. People have to pay government workers to do their jobs.
On the other hand I do not see anyone on the opposition bench that I truly believe will work in the best interest of Antigua and Barbuda.
So I am hoping that the laws can be changed. That we can choose our leaders from the clergy, from the civil servants etc. I am praying for a day when one of our sons and daughters that truly love Antigua, step up to the plate.
So for most of my life I have voted on issues. I have voted for both political parties. I am not ABLP or UPP.
Correction- unliky
I will not put myself out there in defense of party or personality, only my country, and it’s the tool that upp chose because of entitlement have them getting so much licks from the public and unable to inspire the momentum for change as in 2004, because Gaston is obnoxious and unliked in this country right now. Upp should have put forward their best soldier for the job and not entitlement phenetism politics. Pringle is a good person they may like but conflating him with leadership and institutional knowledge of country and political history is a no! No! It would take someone more studious to do that, and on UPP team since Harold Lovell exited politics, the onliest two capable politicians are Sherfield Bowen and Richard Lewis.
Correction sorry – my predictive : should be unlike most of us …