Conflict Erupts in Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers Over President’s Authority

Tensions are rising within the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT) as its President, Casroy Charles, faces accusations of overstepping his authority.

The dispute involves the union’s outgoing Treasurer, Denise Gardiner, and dates back to a letter Charles sent to her on May 19, 2025.

In this correspondence, he claimed that her election three years prior was invalid, stating that she should “effectively no longer hold the office of Treasurer.”

Despite this declaration, Charles has requested that Gardiner continue to sign financial documents until the change in signatories is officially recognized.

In response, Gardiner wrote back on May 21, seeking clarification on the legal basis for Charles’s claims. She pointed out that a legal opinion is merely an opinion and not a binding court decision, emphasizing that any such action should have the endorsement of the Executive Committee rather than a unilateral decision by the President.

Gardiner pressed for transparency by requesting answers to specific questions, including whether the Executive Committee authorized Charles to seek legal advice regarding her election, the details of any relevant motion, and if a formal vote had been conducted for her removal.

She invoked her constitutional right to access these records, asserting that without them, it would appear that Charles acted independently and beyond his designated powers.

According to Gardiner, the role of the President, as defined in Section 7A of the ABUT Constitution, is primarily to preside over meetings, call special sessions, and deliver the State of the Union Address at annual conferences. She reiterated that decision-making authority lies with the Executive Committee, which is tasked with representing the union’s best interests.

Gardiner is puzzled by Charles’s actions, particularly as her term as Treasurer is ending and a new officer will soon be appointed.

She suspects that her recent criticism of Charles’s meeting with the opposition UPP, which she feels threatens the union’s impartiality, may have influenced his decision to target her.