President of the ABUT, Casroy Charles (Photo by Luigi Rodriguez)
Teachers across the island have been receiving their retroactive pay.
According to the government, $3 million dollars was paid but Antigua Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT) President Casroy Charles says “that it is insufficient”.
Based on the calculations, Charles mentioned that there was shortfall.
This means, in their eyes, the government has yet to satisfy their obligation to teachers.
As a part of their collective bargaining agreement, teachers should have experienced a reclassification of salaries since January of 2024.
That reclassification did not take place until this summer, because of this, retroactive payment is owed to teachers from 2024 up to the date that reclassification came into effect and a change in salary took place.
“So yes, there were some retroactive payments, but I want to make it clear to everyone the payments that were disbursed was insufficient. It was in the media that the government would have paid $3 million in regard to said payments. However, that’s due to over 1,400 teachers and the least payment, if I can recall for that period, was $2,400 and if you were supposed to divide $2,400 into $3 million, you will see there is a shortfall.
“So, in terms of satisfying the obligation to the teachers in regards to that retroactive payment, it is incomplete. As I speak to you, hundreds of teachers are still awaiting said payment. So my appeal to the government is to honor your obligation, yes, we are appreciative of the fact that over 1,000 persons would have received said payment, but 1,000 is not 1,400 plus. So those persons who are outstanding, they need to be compensated as well, “Charles appealed.
Dialogue has been ongoing in ensuring that all teachers receive their monies “but at this point in time there hasn’t been any definitive dates”.
A frustrating development, Charles added, as this payment should have been dealt with since June.
It is now over two months overdue.
An issue Charles said is something that has been one of the matters that puts a strain on the otherwise amicable relationship between the union and the government.
“The problem we have with the ministry and has always had with the ministry is them meeting deadlines and when they fail to meet the deadlines, it’s not that we pull away from them and say, hey, you haven’t met the deadline, we’re going to take industrial action. That has never been our posture. What we do if they fail to meet the deadline, we alert them that you have failed to meet the deadline...but if, in our opinion, the interventions that are necessary to correct the deficiency or the contravention is insufficient, that’s when we take the stance of industrial action because you would have failed. The onus was on you from the get-go,” Charles concluded.
He was speaking on state media.
How can you not be satisfired with the payments bro. What else do you want from the government.
For how long they’ve been promised, teachers are the footstool of our education they should not be complaining for money they well deserve
Let me also add that my sister is one of the teachers still waiting. She spends money out of pocket for classroom supplies and still hasn’t received what’s due to her. It’s frustrating to watch educators be treated this way while they continue to show up for our children
Teachers always have to beg and fight for what they’re owed, yet they’re the backbone of the nation. That’s not right.
We say education is a priority, but then we treat teachers like this? Actions speak louder than words.
I remember how hard my teachers worked, often going above and beyond with little resources. To hear that they’re still waiting on money that’s rightfully theirs is disheartening. Education is the backbone of any country, and this shows we still don’t value it enough
As a parent, I believe teachers deserve every dollar they are owed. They dedicate their lives to shaping the next generation, yet time and again they have to fight just to receive fair compensation. If the government can find millions for other projects, it should ensure teachers are fully paid
not fair at all to the teachers,better can be done and we all know this
While it’s unfortunate that some teachers haven’t been fully paid yet, I hope this is just the first installment and that the government will complete the process soon. At least a start has been made now we just need to see it through
This isn’t just a teachers’ issue; it’s a national issue. If government contracts and salary agreements aren’t honored in full, how can we expect confidence in our institutions? It sets a poor example and sends the wrong message to our young people
Retroactive pay shouldn’t be a partial measure. Teachers have waited long enough this delay reflects poorly on the system.
Please pay dem teachers. We cannot afford another sit on sick out protest picket or what ever.
Our children need to learn and they need to be in school