The Antigua Teachers Association (A.T.A.) was founded in 1926. Associated with the historic occasion were two highly respected teachers, Mr. Thomas Noel Kirnon and Mary Elizabeth Pigott. They were Head Teachers of St. John's Boys School and the St. John's Girls School respectively.

For many years after its inception, the Antigua Teachers' Association remained an "elitist" organization. Only teachers of particular social status were accepted into its fold. The body emphasized professionalism and functioned mainly as a training organization for its members as revealed by its weekly Saturday Conferences. The Association commanded a high level of respect from the colonial authorities and its image was well accepted by the society. With maturity, the Association expanded its portfolio to cater to the economic and social needs of its membership.

The early nineteen fifties marked the advent of major change in the Association's structure and procedure as the leadership sought to improve the effectiveness of the Association. Furthermore, teachers of diverse social status began to express interest in becoming members of the body, the leaders of the association responded by opening membership to all.

The Civil Service Union & Trade Union

In 1972, the Antigua Teachers' Association registered its existence as a civil service union becoming the Antigua Union of Teachers. In 1981 an amendment was made to its registered title. Thus in keeping with our nation's constitutional designation, the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers (A&BUT) materialized. The organization was now vested with civil service union authority, possessing the right to represent its membership on two levels within the industrial arena.

• Individual representation: membership afforded the individual teacher representation whenever he or she encounters industrial nuisance. In this capacity the Union is the member's lawyer ensuring that industrial principles are maintained; justice, fair play and correctness presides.
• Collective representation: having by petition secured the majority of the membership on staff at any educational facility the Union is able to collectively bargain for the industrial rights of the workers. Contracts can now be drawn up between the Union and the Employer which hold precedence over all the workers at the institution.

In December 1985, the Union was granted a parcel of land by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda (Cabinet decisions #29 December, 1985). It was on this parcel one year later the Union constructed its Secretariat with assistance from the Nova Scotia Teachers' Union and the Canadian Teachers' Federation. The Secretariat was officially opened on 5th May, and the first full time Secretary Administration, Ms. Schmidt Lord, was employed on June 1, 1986.

In 1987, the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers negotiated its first Collective Agreement with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of teachers in the Public Sector. This contract spanning three years reflected increases in salaries ranging from 68% to 120%. There was also a reclassification and re-grading of the Teaching Profession. Other contracts were to follow in 1994, 1995, and 2000.

In 1994, the Union at the request of the teaching staff at the St. John's Catholic Primary School, petitioned the Labour Department to become the sole bargaining agent for the teachers there. The petition was successful and on March 20, 1997 a Collective Bargaining Agreement was brokered between the St. John's Catholic Diocesan School Board and the Union. Subsequent contracts followed in 1999 and 2005

In 2005, the Union on the request of the teachers at the Sunnyside Tutorial School and the St. Joseph's Academy again petitioned the Labour Department to become the sole bargaining agent for the teachers at both learning institutions. Both petitions were successful and the Union now stands as the collective bargaining representative of each school. Negotiations are presently ongoing towards the formulation of contracts for the teachers.

Mission Statement

The Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers as the sole advocate for its members will ensure effective representation and the advancement of personal and professional growth and development within its rank.

Vision Statement

The Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers will encourage the social, cultural, and professional advancement of its members and provide means whereby teachers can express their collective opinions upon matters affecting the interests of education and the teaching profession.

The Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers is affiliated to:

1. Education International (EI)

2. The Caribbean Union of Teachers (C. U. T.)

3. Antigua & Barbuda Trade Union Congress {A&BTUC}

The Union also enjoys Fraternal Association with:

1. The Canadian Teachers' Federation (C. T. F.)

2. The Nova Scotia Teachers Union (N. S. T. U.)