Public schools across Antigua and Barbuda are without teachers as members of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT) stage industrial action over unpaid allowances dating as far back as 2018.
The protest began on Friday at midday, following a deadline given to the Ministry of Education to fully settle the arrears. Although partial payments were made, the union says numerous teachers are still owed various allowances and has vowed to continue the strike until all payments are received.
The allowances in question include travel and telephone stipends for principals and deputy principals, as well as technical and vocational coverall allowances for teachers in home economics, arts and crafts, industrial arts, pure sciences, and agricultural science.
Speaking on behalf of the union, ABUT General Secretary Casroy Charles said the issue dates back to the 2018–2024 period, with many of the payments still outstanding despite a collective agreement signed in 2023.
“Principals and deputy principals have not been paid their telephone and travel allowances,” Charles explained. “With the coverall allowances, there was a $200 increase as per the collective bargaining agreement, but those arrears remain unpaid. We’ve been in dialogue with the ministry since last year, and although they promised to resolve the matter by Friday, they didn’t.”
He confirmed that all government primary and secondary schools are affected.
The Ministry of Education had requested an extension last week to meet its obligations, but according to Charles, the ministry failed to fulfil its commitment by the new Friday deadline.
“As of Friday at noon, the full payments had not been made. That’s when the industrial action began, and it continues today,” he said. “This action will not stop until the matter is completely resolved.”
There has been no immediate comment from the Ministry of Education on the union’s latest statement.
The strike comes at a crucial time in the academic calendar, with exam preparation and classroom instruction disrupted across the country.
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Here we go again. Had I known this was going on I would have kept my child home
This man is clearly a trouble maker. You shut down a whole school system for missing payments of a few teachers? Our children are already backward. You are directly wicked.
During this time? I thought Gaston said yesterday he’s fighting for all people? So how are these people suffering for a earning? and in such a time as CXC and End of Year Exams and even Grade Six National Assessments. Shows the government don’t actually care about us.
“Speaking on behalf of the union, ABUT General Secretary Casroy Charles said the issue dates back to the 2018–2024 period”,
I would say that the union took too much damn time to stand up.
Six (6) years? Really, and we living in a powerhouse?
Antigua people really love pain.
Five years and still no allowances? I’d sit in too. That’s unacceptable.
How can we expect teachers to give their best when they’re not being treated fairly?
2018? That’s a long time to wait. I wonder how many left the profession because of this.
Where’s the Ministry of Education in all of this? Are they even listening?
You can’t build a strong nation while shortchanging the people shaping future generations.
Imagine any other sector being unpaid for five years—there’d be outrage.
Solidarity with the teachers. They deserve better. Our kids life are in their hands during school
@Teacher for life
Agreed… Parents should be backing the teachers too. Our kids are affected when they’re demoralized.
It only proves that the despicable boy is nothing but a liar. He said that during his reign, no one has marched against his administration. If ever that were true, workers have reasons to demonstrate almost everyday because of all the ignorance that are happening. The next thing should be a drive to oust him as prime minister until he is cleared of the Alfa Nero scandal.