The Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (A&BUT) has voiced significant discontent regarding the prolonged delay in initiating crucial contract discussions with government authorities. Union President Casroy Charles revealed his profound disappointment during a recent broadcast interview, highlighting that formal proposals for a new collective bargaining agreement were submitted over seven months ago in June 2025, yet substantive negotiations have failed to commence as of January 2026.
Charles emphasized the recurring nature of these delays within the bargaining process, noting that the previous agreement covering the 2018-2024 period was finalized merely months before its expiration in 2024. This pattern of last-minute negotiations has created persistent challenges for educators, with Charles stating that ‘negotiating a protracted period has always been problematic’ and regrettably ‘become the norm’ for contracts covering periods that have already passed.
Supporting these concerns, General Secretary Sharon Clifford Kelsick confirmed the union has repeatedly communicated with government officials through written correspondence seeking to initiate discussions for the 2025-2026 agreement. Kelsick emphasized that best practices dictate negotiations should commence well before contract expiration, ideally early in the preceding year, rather than during the final year of the existing agreement.
Both union leaders warned that continued delays risk perpetuating a cycle of retroactive settlements and prolonged uncertainty for teachers. Despite maintaining communication with the Chief Establishment Officer, the union expresses growing concern over the lack of progress. Charles affirmed the union’s commitment to pursuing timely negotiations, stating ‘We will stick at it’ while expressing hope that future bargaining processes would demonstrate improved efficiency and foresight.