In a radio broadcast, last weekend, Chief Minister Hubert Hughes argued that the recent sit-in by teachers had to do with money. He indicated that it was not about disrespect meted out to them by him, and other members of his Government, as stated by the Teachers’ Union.
“I understand that Mrs Ferguson [President of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union] is saying that they are not talking about money, but it is about respect,” Mr. Hughes said. “She is calling me a liar. The note to Mr. Baird [Minister of Education dated January 15] spoke only about money, and I can only interpret the reference to respect … [to mean] that Government can show respect for teachers when Government settles the money issues.”
Mr Hughes continued: “I know that respect is only due to those who give respect. As a matter of fact, as Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, I have no authority to give money to civil servants or teachers or police. I heard the teachers’… strike was intended for the police and other Staff Associations to follow suit and strike, and a state of emergency will be declared helped by the bringing in of a British military ship.
“What the Teachers’ Union fail to appreciate is the battle I have fought to save their jobs and to prevent their salaries from being further reduced. The British Tax Consultant suggested that teachers and civil servants should be reduced to part-time workers. I fought against it…
“The Teachers’ Union leaders should also know that the European Union, which is the only aid donor to Anguilla, is now in serious financial trouble insomuch that children do not get breakfast to attend school.
“Our teachers are arguing that Anguilla has reserves and that these reserves should be drawn to pay teachers their money back. I will suggest that that the Teachers’ Union leaders should take their case to the Governor because HE is responsible for the public service and not Hubert Hugheswho has been fighting for the public servants.
“I wonder where were these educated teachers of the Teachers’ Union when the Governor in Council approved an unprecedented arrangement to give a much larger increase of 25% for those at the top and a much smaller percentage increase for those at the bottom. They were dormant, as usual, because their political party who did it was in power…
“Let me declare that despite the Teachers’ Union’s political stand against my AUM party, I will continue to fight the public servants’ cause with the British authorities. But this is not my issue. This is one for HMG.
“We tried to borrow money to pay the bill, but this was not approved by the FCO, and even the Union did not agree that the GOA should borrow money to pay this bill.
“The question I want the leaders of the Teachers’ Union to answer is this: Has the economy of Anguilla changed positively and significantly to pay these suspended funds?
“Lastly, instead of the leaders of the Teachers’ Union demanding apologies, they need to apologise to Anguilla for what they are doing to our other noble teachers and our students.
“Party politics is Anguilla’s worst disease for it only provides an opportunity for bad people to show their true ugliness.
“If the leaders of the Teachers’ Union were as educated as they claim, they would know that Anguilla is under Britain’s Governance and that these deferred payments can only be settled with the consent of the FCO and the Governor. They would know that this is a national issue and that all of us are in this together. But it suits their party-political agenda to make it a political dispute between the present politicians in power and the Unions. Fortunately, the other three Unions do not see it this way.
“Unfortunate for the leaders of the Teachers’ Union, they will have to bear with this AUM Government a little longer.”
