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Teachers Union President hits back at persons who criticize their motives

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Teachers Union President hits back at persons who criticize their motives
Teacher’s Union President Casroy Charles (file photo)

Casroy Charles, ABUT President is hitting back at those critics who have condemned the union and teachers for past stances regarding several issues.

In the recent past, the union and its members have undergone industrial action over matters regarding retroactive payments.

Similar actions have taken place in past years for other matters.

And while, many have stood alongside them in support, many have also accused teachers of being money hungry.

Charles is challenging those notions.

“Persons will always criticize teachers for standing up for their rights. I can recall when we engaged the government in, I think it’s 2022, when it was a security issue persons say, you’re arguing for security.  Why school needs security? This year in April, when we took the industrial action for the issuance of promotion instrument, persons say, you’re arguing for a piece of paper.  I thought you were arguing for money and then, when you’re arguing for money, they say, you’re always arguing for money. Our job is not to please the public. Our job is to ensure our employers live up to their obligation. Our job is to ensure that if our members are disenfranchised, we do what is necessary to get them to access the benefits that are due to them,” Charles mentioned.

“The sustainable goals talk about decent work. The work cannot be decent if you owe me and at the end of the day, you don’t pay me. The work cannot be decent if when I come there, I expose myself to all kinds of health hazards. One of its principles is respecting the rule of law as it relates to employment. So, if we have a collective bargaining agreement which states that 24-hour security should be on the school and that’s not the case, why shouldn’t we agitate for it?  If we have a collective bargaining agreement which states when teachers would have qualified for promotion, there ought to be promotion and if there should be some accompanying retroactive payment, they should be paid for them.

“Why shouldn’t we agitate for it? So, persons who criticize us for doing our work, we have no issue with that. We will continue to do our work. So, if you don’t want to hear our voices, do what you’re supposed to do and then we’ll be quiet in the background doing what we’re supposed to do as well,” Charles stated.

Where the security and promotion of instruments is concerned, Charles added that these matters are being looked at and the union is satisfied thus far with those efforts.

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Comments (12)

  • Yip September 17, 2025, 1:48 PM

    There’s another side of the teaching profession that people don’t like to admit, and that’s the fact that not every teacher is truly invested in children. Some are simply there to collect a paycheck, treating the classroom as just another job rather than a calling.

  • Antigua Surf September 16, 2025, 9:05 PM

    It is heartbreaking to see just how ungrateful the teaching profession can often feel. Teachers give so much of themselves time, energy, patience, even personal resources yet the appreciation is rarely equal to the sacrifice. Instead of being uplifted as the backbone of society, too many teachers are overworked, underpaid, and treated as though their efforts are simply expected rather than valued

  • Dion September 16, 2025, 8:37 PM

    Teachers shouldn’t have to be going threw all that for their money they work for.I can’t blame them if they strike again

  • Vanya September 16, 2025, 8:36 PM

    People have to criticize your move because you are too political jack

  • Ottis September 16, 2025, 8:33 PM

    When people work pay then,simple to understand,you can’t blame teachers for students performances most teachers try their best and if they don’t try their best is because the student/students show no interest.

  • Trina September 16, 2025, 8:15 PM

    So true, when teachers push for security, people complain. When they push for promotions, people complain. When they push for pay, people complain. You can’t win.

  • Nicole September 16, 2025, 8:14 PM

    Charles is right, teachers aren’t just fighting for money, they’re fighting for dignity, safety, and fairness in the workplace.

  • Informed citizen September 16, 2025, 8:03 PM

    Teachers everywhere face similar struggles low pay, overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources. This isn’t just a local fight; it’s a global issue. However if more money have to be paid then results hve go match up to standards.

  • Juju Bee September 16, 2025, 7:30 PM

    Well if teachers work, like everybody else they should get paid. I just don’t appreciate how they go about doing things

  • #Stratetalk!!! September 16, 2025, 3:52 PM

    N it’s not the teacher’s fault when student don’t pass these exams. Don’t they have parents too. When teacher required the work, SBA etc from these students n nothing is produced, what do they do? Send for parents n they too don’t show up. So what u expect. Better to come? Nahhhh!!!

  • Jennifer September 16, 2025, 3:39 PM

    that’s the comment!!! Time for Min of Education to implement and enforce performance assessments and key performance indicators. Pay increases bonuses to teachers who perform with results.

  • Teachers performance should matter too. Not just money September 16, 2025, 3:30 PM

    Everytime ABUT open their mouth, is money money money. ABUT should hold poor performing Teachers accountable too. 19% of CSEC students this year Antigua pass 5 subjects with Maths and English.
    Ah dat dem fu study too!!

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