ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) is distancing itself from the recent suspension of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) General Secretary Stafford Joseph.

ALP Chairman Gaston Brown said Joseph’s suspension was entirely a union matter.

“The motion for his suspension was actually moved by union members I believe by both the first and second vice presidents and as far as we are concerned we do not wish to become involved in that issue,” Brown said.

“We do have an interest to ensure that there is unity between both the party and the union recognizing our common ancestry but other than that we have no direct interest in the operational issues of the union.”

The AT&LU sent Joseph on a three-month suspension late last month amidst claims that he undermined the “parental bond” between the union and the ALP, which was founded from within its ranks more than a half century ago.

The relationship between the union and the ALP has been strained in recent months, especially with AT&LU President Wigley George contesting the St. Paul’s constituency as an independent candidate in the March 2009 general election after he failed to secure a spot in the ALP ticket.

Tensions also escalated when the union asked the opposition party not to speak at its Labour Day rally in May.

Several members of the ALP addressed the gathering after setting up their own public address system.

That action triggered a court case, to be heard in November, against Brown and the ALP leader Lester Bird along with several other party members and supporters.

Browne