Unions Protest at SSB Headquarters, Draw Line from Party Politics

Labor leaders also took their protest directly to the headquarters of the Social Security Board, despite being denied official permission to demonstrate. The National Trade Union Congress gathered outside the building, protesting alongside, but distinctly separate from, a demonstration by the United Democratic Party. While both groups are raising serious concerns about how workers’ contributions are being managed, the unions insist this is not a political fight. They say their demands are about transparency, protecting workers’ rights, and having a genuine voice through public consultation. But today’s action also revealed rising tension, as union leaders accused the UDP of inflaming the situation and putting their members at risk. Shane Williams has more in this report.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

Chants, placards, and union colors were well represented outside the Social Security Board in Belize City this morning, as joint unions staged a protest running parallel to a demonstration by the United Democratic Party. For the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, the protest went ahead despite police denying their formal application for a permit.

 

Ella Waight, President, National Trade Union Congress of Belize

“As much as the UDP get approval for theirs up to twelve o’ clock, we wanted ours to be from eleven to two so that the workers, even the workers from Social Security Board could come out and support. What we are saying is that board should be very cautious whenever they decide or how they decide to move forward with this proposal. So we believe and we know that it is our constitutional rights to protest. That’s why we are out here. We are expecting more members to come out and we also understand the meeting has been moved to Belmopan. So we will be having members in Belmopan as well. So we had to divide ethe members. Some will be in Belmopan but walking the street because we know they cannot stand still right. They can’t gather but they’ll be walking the streets. We have to send the message that we need to ensure there is public consultation. We need to ensure that regular citizens understand all those big words  and technical words must be broken down so citizens can understand what are the risk and what may be the benefits and then make a sober decision.”

 

Waight says the unions chose to stand their ground, insisting workers have a right to be heard, especially on decisions involving Social Security funds. Among those present was the Belize Communications Workers for Justice, whose fight for severance for former BTL employees has now merged with broader opposition to the proposed Speednet acquisition.

 

Emily Turner, Co-founder, Belize Communication Workers for Justice

“On Our side when we have been presenting we join the two items. If BTL already owes a debt to its former employees it needs to settle it. We need to know what that number is. We need to recognize all the former employees, agree that they are eligible, understand what that debt is. The Social Security Board of Directors need to also understand what that debt is because if this debt is twenty-five million or if it is fifty million dollars then what are we doing to BTL making them also invest eighty million dollars in a company like Smart.”

 

But it was the presence of the National Teachers’ Union that many described as a turning point. The BNTU is widely regarded as the most powerful union in the country, capable of shutting down schools nationwide and its participation sent a strong signal of growing labor unity.

 

Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union

“We are observing. You all know that we don’t rush into everything and we notice that there is a lot of discrepancies and it is very important for us to now, now, represent our four thousand plus. We want answers.”

 

Reporter

“And so this is one of the biggest unions, do you guys believe that you will be able to bring out your numbers in the coming weeks to have a greater showing?”

 

Nadia Caliz

“Of course! The first step is to educate them. Provide them with the pros and cons of what they are presenting; demanding from BTL the answers that we all need. Because when I listen to them saying that the funds that they are in charge of does not require public consultation, Im surprised because social security we contribute. Government, we are the government. We only elect representatives but the people are the government.”

 

Reporter

“How would you respond to those saying that you guys were taking too long to come out here?”

 

Nadia Caliz

“They have to learn one thing about the BNTU, when you know your power you don’t rush. It is not the roar of the lion. It’s the silence that is deadly.”

 

Support also came from outside traditional union leadership. Former Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Board President Andrew Baird stepped out during his lunch break, saying this was an issue that cuts across professions. Even though the protest was in front of the hospital, which is a quiet zone, KHMH’s union members felt the need to support.

 

Andrew Baird, Past President, KHMH Authority Union

“When the trade union congress call upon its members and supporters then we have to de ya you know. And this is a matter of national interest and I believe that the more people we have out here its better to show the solidarity in reference to the BTL-Smart saga.”

 

Shane Williams

“Should we expect more members coming out during the course of this demonstration?”

 

Andrew Baird

“Certainly in a few, the organizers from the union will be bringing out the other members but just that I, my time for my break is now so I am here.”

 

Ashley Langford, a youth representative with the NTUCB and student advocate, said the decisions being made now will directly affect the next generation of workers.

 

Ashley Langford, Youth Representative, NTUCB

“As a young person it’s very much important for me to be out here but to also encouraging young persons to be out here because we hold, as people and as young people, we hold majority of the shares of that. It’s our future and we are the now. If you know that telecommunication is something very important. That affects our schools, affects our daily life. If you look pan social media right now, who is on there? The young persons and they will be as much affected by this.”

 

As the morning progressed, tensions rose when UDP supporters moved closer toward the Social Security Board compound. NTUCB President Ella Waight says the move placed union members inside the building at risk, a development she says is completely unacceptable.

 

Ella Waight

“The workers of the Social Security Board are members of the Christian Workers Union and what the Opposition is doing right now is putting them in a situation – they were going to come out here with us you know. Some of them were gonna come out here with us because they also are citizens of Belize and they also have concerns about this acquisition. But with the Opposition people trying to go into the office the way they did it, our members are scared now. They are not going to come out. It defats the purpose of why the unions are out here. We are not here to break up anything. This is Social Security Board. The meeting isn’t even happening in there. What will they do if they go in there?  Attack our members? Then these people will go in there and protect our members. So we are asking, hold it down mein. This is not what the NTUCB is out here for.”

 

The NTUCB says that while it shares concerns about Social Security, it will not support political actions that endanger workers or blur the lines between labor advocacy and party politics. Union leaders say today’s message was simple, this fight is about workers, their contributions, and the future of Belize, not political colors. Shane Williams for News Five.