Teachers’ Union to Continue Strike Over Unpaid Allowances

smh da Teacher union president needs to put his ego aside and exercise good judgement. He just beating a dead horse now. This whole strike lemme realise a lot of teachers won’t cut it in the private sector, , dats y all they do is complain complain in dem cozy government job, but would never resign to go work in the private sector, to see what real hard work be. Who de hell in the private sector other than OMG would really hire a teacher, childish diva n UPP minion like de PearMan??
99% ah de teachers got dem money, govt say they do pay, so why strike still? Ah all opposition politics n ego in de A&BUT hurting the kids

I wonder if the PM is going to dispatch defense force workers to the schools like that time he sent them to port when the port workers took industrial action.

You can’t always fight fire with fire. This may be the time for the PM to humble himself and just let the sitiation resolve peacefully. If not, this may flick the card that brings the entire house of cards crashing down.

This overkill person must be a Ghost-worker. Are the teachers being unreasonable? Those who hold our purse are squandering out money. Think about the hefty sums that the lawyer from Dominica has amassed over the reign of the party for even trivial matters. The teachers are well within their rights. Just imagine the government constituting its union similar to what they have planned for the hotel workers. That guy is displaying his true intentions.

Is the president of the union of teachers a member of ISIS ? They wanted their money. They got it and now they move to another level. The teachers of this country , why are you all so wicked. I am owed backpay from government since 2018 also. You all get some money allow others to get. Stop this political shit.what is wrong with you all ? Who are you all getting at ? The children will be the one to suffer. Teachers you all are too greedy. Let others eat too shir man

Hang in there teachers do not give up, you have great representation. What about other civil servants that the Government owe from since 2018 as well? and we can’t get our money. 7 years of waiting 7 years, for less than $3000 this Government wicked.
Politician got their full backpay oh lotd man poor people fed up.

I checked education officials up to today and they advised that all allowances were paid.
As I said before. I have no difficulty with protestation, but their actions are disproportional; putting our children’s education at risk.
Political activism should never take precedent over principle, ethics, and our children’s education.
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Why this feel like this union of teachers playing politics!! Writing this crafty letter. We can see the politics being play here. Now who paying for this nonsense? The school children. Man stop playing with our children future stop the nonsense. The government trying to get things resolve try work with the government, for the children sake! Darn!!

Needs to also address teachers who ( before the strike) don’t show up for class, always late, molesting prople gyal and boy pickney, dress like they are to a hoochie party, not prepared for class, always late with their SBA, use foul language around students, leave school before 1:30……

Sometimes you have to rule with an Iron Fist. Just like when Goodwin advised the then PM Baldwin Spencer that he should rule with an iron fist.
You cannot let people undermine your authority and just sit back and feel hopeless and powerless. There is something called reasonableness and fairness. And anyone that is not taking this political will say enough is enough. You guys and girls went a whole week without working and you are only hurting the children. Not the politicians. And it is not that the government is not doing anything to solve this issue. Therefore some good faith should prevail and perhaps instead of a sit in, a Go Slow. I mean what are you guys trying to achieve? And when the CXC result come out and are very disappointing you guys and girls do not want to take responsibility.
This reminds me of the the teachers strikes in the 70s that was ended by Papa Bird, of which up until this day teachers and their family members hold a grudge against the Antigua Labour Party. They were Teargassed and beaten and some ended up in jail. It shows that no one is above the law and when you think you are and keep provoking authority you will soon find out. The government will use the heavy state arm, The Police, to keep law and order and when that fails, they will bring in the military.
I think the government should be able to take the union to court and sue them for damages towards to children of this country. And the union leaders should be held accountable for this. It cannot be that one can called a strike at every whim. There must be some reasonableness in all of this.

According to the Minister of education all payments are now issued, so is this becoming a political fight between two men? Teachers what say you?

I am not against anyone striking for their rights. However, the last time the teachers had a strike I wrote in this media that to please bring all unsettled matters to the table. Since I think you are one of the few groups that can get all your concerns settled. After that happened you had several show downs with the government. Although I would also agree that the government needs to set its priorities straight, I also think the unions need to play all it cards straight up as well. Didn’t you have a strike for upgrades letters recently. So have the upgraded teachers are being paid. Don’t tell me that you will have to strike again soon for that. Mr. Union President please let the public know everything. This is not only affecting the teachers and students, it’s affecting the entire nation. This is the most critical term of the school year- CXC has started and the children did not have their teachers for last minute brunch up and motivation etc. We have common entrance around the corner , and moving up or end of year exams. The entire dynamic at home changes for example, some parents take their holidays the same time as their children. We are living in a very unsafe environment and I am now seeing children all over the place.
So Mr.Charles you speak of political schemes. I do hope you are not politically motivated and using this as an opportunity. I am aware that you had political ambitions. I will leave it there for now.
I am also asking the PM to take these issues that are affecting people lives in a more professional manner. Just imagine if when you had landed and said – In my absence the teachers went on strike for longstanding allowances. Let be apologize to our teachers for the delay. I hereby pledge to get this matter resolved soonest. I am going to meet tomorrow with the union executive, the minister of education and the director, the Financial Secretary and the accountant general ,to try and have the matter settled immediately. Go into that meeting not as a bully but with humility and negotiating skills. Then with humility implore the union to ask the teachers to return to work. If they don’t just leave them, isn’t all time you have to fight. You win battles by staying calm and the opportunity will come. Then keep you word to the letter. Even do better than you promised.
PM these is no viable opposition party to your government at this point and time. You are fueling and uniting opposition forces by your behavior. You almost lost the last general election because of this same lack of statesmanship. You went to the gutter most. After the election you did some introspection and made a public statement.
Finally the government needs to set its priorities right. There should be no one nation concerts and our teachers, nurses, government employees, suppliers and contractors are not paid. It’s just not right. At least the teachers have a union. The contractors and suppliers that fuel this economy do not. Many of them go bankrupt because of the government failing to meet its obligations. So the most they can do is support those that bond together and get what due to them. The public rallied behind Mr. George Ryan recently because many of them are going through the same, while government ministers , public officials and their chosen are self enriching.

The reason the strike continues is because some of the cheques expired when they were given to the teachers on Friday.

I don’t like what I am reading. What is all this hostility about? Why are we so harsh as a people? We should be able to agree to disagree. I agree with the PM. You can’t hold an entire school system hostage because you are caught up un your feelings. This is not how people who love THEIR COINTRY BEHAVE

I believe there should be a compromise and teachers should return to school. It is NOT that serious. A handfull of teachers unpaid and the nation suffers. Not even the nurses behave in such a bad way. I am starting to believe there is an agenda

We demand a press statement from the government on this matter! This is heighten nonesense and we can’t continue looking on from the outside. Teachers are yet to strike again, this means students will lose yet another day of learning as exams approach. Well well. Does the government care? A question that’s is needing to ask

I stand in Solidarity with these teachers. About time the government is taught a lesson. And Kwane, don’t be under here blaming teachers. Put it in the ugly mustache man yall put on those pedestals. Dumb set of Antiguans. If Gaston cared about the well being of your children he would’ve ensured that these monies owed were paid. Hmmmmm. They alone know what they doing with money. Now you’re here to help them wicked people we call politicians

I heard the education minister saying all teachers were paid Friday. So what is your point teachers. What is fueling the drama. Dont let the devil use you as one of his vessles. Be wise.

Same Ben. It’s hot under here. These teachers are wicked though. Teaches Union should not have our children suffering because of money. Face the government one on one. Exams are coming up. CXC has begun!!! Let’s the shii and let’s get some normalcy back

I am just here for the comments. But honestly speaking these children need their teachers. Another week no teachers is not a good image. Let us fix this

Yet another week of school? Do our students have to suffer this much? Is the ministry not seeing this? Gaston only trying to protect hisself

High esteem my black a$$$$. Same teachers you see in carnival with all their backsides outside. Give me a break. Respect is earned not demanded. The same teachers are on stage twerking, knowing their students are in the audience. HYPOCRISY. Don’t ,let me start to call the names of some of these teachers…talking about want respect. Go respect yourselves first

Look at a bunch of wicked people. The PM warned the teachers not to get involved in the Union and its politics. You mean to tell me, after the ministry of education paid every outstanding dollar on Friday…my child must miss another day or week of school. PM, get rid of these teachers. They are not about national development. Bunch of wicked charlatans

The same wicked people, that take our monies and buy your child lunch, snacks, water and school essentials when you couldn’t!

That same money we are waiting on goes back into the same children in our classes to benefit!