ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Classes in public schools across the island are expected to be disrupted for a fourth day as teachers continue their sit-in to protest the late payment of salaries.

That’s the message from President of the Antigua & Barbuda Union of Teachers’ Vernest Mack, who said the industrial action will be halted only when all her members are paid.

Teachers started their action last Wednesday after government failed to meet a sixth of the month deadline agreed to when salaries are not paid by the end of the previous month.

Mack said she did not know how many schools called off classes yesterday, but noted that the sit-in will affect “things like report books “cause the teachers are not working on reports and reports are due out this week.”

Regarding criticism that teachers are compromising the students, the union president said the members had not “caused the situation“ and urged the detractors to “use wisdom and realise that toady is the 11th of December, persons have mortgages to pay, credit cards, like anybody else.”

The industrial action is being staged at a crucial period when exams are in progress.

Government says cash flow problems are responsible for the late salary payments of public servants for a third straight month.