WITU: The struggle continues
until all our teachers are paid
~ Anguilla Teachers’ Union supports WITU ~
PHILIPSBURG--As the “action for justice” by local teachers enters its sixth day today, Monday, the Anguilla Teachers’ Union (ATU) has thrown its support behind the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) and its members, who have been meeting during school hours to protest the delay in the payment of their retroactive pay linked to the new salary scales.
WITU President Claire Elshot said Sunday that teachers will continue their action for justice with a meeting today at the Windward Islands Federation of Labour (WIFOL) Building from 7:30am.
The several school boards have been critical of WITU’s action. Last night, General Director of Hillside Christian Schools Asha Stevens said that in the case of her schools, tomorrow will be a normal school day.
In a press release, ATU President LeRoy Hill said, “ATU joins in strong support with our brothers and sisters of WITU. We call upon the leader of government to live up to the promises made. We believe that broken promises lead to a sense of broken faith and support within the community. This type of politics is not good and should not be accepted anywhere.”
Hill said ATU recognises the steps that the government has made thus far, but believes that much more could have been done to prevent this impasse from ever beginning.
“Politicians, education administrators and the community at large must recognise that teachers play a crucial role in the community and must be given the respect that they deserve,” he said.
ATU also urged the community to rally around the teachers as “they continue to face the challenges of broken promises.”
He continued: “As a member of the Caribbean Union of Teachers, we will continue to uphold our motto – Each for All, All for Each – and support our fellow teachers in this time of need.”
Scores of teachers have been meeting since last Monday protesting the delay in the payment of their retroactive pay, effective August 2007, linked to the new salary scales. The teachers were promised the money on February 15, but government did not meet this date and failed to communicate with the union about its inability to meet that deadline.
After the intervention of Finance Commissioner Roy Marlin, all government subsidized schools received the retroactive money to their teachers last Thursday the day after Education Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams had said it was “humanly impossible” for teachers to get their money before the end of February.
Many government subsidized school teachers received their money on Friday and others are expected to receive theirs today. Marlin had promised the union that public school teachers would be given their pay slips by noon today, but the teachers said receiving their pay slips would not be enough and voted on Friday to continue their action until “100 per cent of teachers are paid.”
The union has also asked government to pay public school teachers by 12:00noon today. Elshot said based on what happens today, Monday, teachers will vote on another motion to determine how to proceed with their action.
