Prime Minister Gaston Browne continued his critique of the recent industrial action by the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (ABUT), labeling it as disproportionate and politically tinged. He emphasized that by the time the union intensified its protest, payments to teachers had already commenced. According to Browne, only a few remaining cheques were left to be issued, and a more cooperative approach would have been appropriate.
He stressed that the government had never resisted making payments and that both Cabinet and the Ministry of Education were aligned in pushing for resolution. However, he accused the union president of persistently using confrontational language in official correspondence.
“Rather than requesting expedited action to avoid disruption,” Browne said, “the union’s communications often threatened protest, portraying the government as uncooperative—even when efforts were actively being made to meet their demands.”
The Prime Minister further cast doubt on the union president’s neutrality, pointing to his past political aspirations within the United Progressive Party (UPP). PM Browne asserted that the president had a personal vendetta after being overlooked in favour of Jamale Pringle for candidacy in All Saints East and St. Luke. He suggested the union head continues to pursue a political agenda under the guise of union advocacy.
“We don’t want a confrontation with you, sir,” Browne declared, making it clear that his administration is not at odds with teachers as a whole. He issued a firm warning, however: no group—political or not—will be permitted to destabilize the country.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also addressed a broader cultural problem: the politicization of the public service. He warned that partisan sabotage not only harms the current administration but sets a precedent that could destabilize future governments. Drawing from his own experience as an oppostion activist, he emphasized that he had never encouraged public servants to take disruptive action against the government of the day.
He pointed to specific instances where political operatives within the public sector actively sought to embarrass the government without the knowledge of senior officials or ministers. One recent case involved remarks at a nursing graduation ceremony, where it was revealed that two newly graduated nurses had gone unpaid for six months. Prime Minister Browne clarified that neither he nor the Minister of Health had been informed of the situation. Had they known, he insisted, the matter would have been resolved immediately.
PM Browne was speaking on Saturday’s Browne and Browne show on Pointe FM radio.
