BNTU Explains Policy After Family Questions Denied Benefits

A grieving daughter’s social media post has opened a wider conversation about compassion, communication and the rules governing death benefits at the Belize National Teachers’ Union. Odalisa Alonzo says her mother, retired veteran educator Eda Carballo, gave twenty-five years of contributions to the BNTU but was denied benefits after falling behind on dues while battling illness in retirement. BNTU President Nadia Caliz says the union’s constitution is clear that members must be current to qualify, but she also admits the case shows why reforms may be needed to better protect retired teachers.

 

Nadia Caliz, National President, BNTU

“Constitutionally , that is how the BNTU is set up. I don’t have the legal authority to go and give you any benefit. Any at all. So when the branch members made it clear that they communicated with you, and they too now have produced screenshots of those conversations, I am not gonna put it out there in the public domain because we’re not at war with each other. I just want you to know that I’m very happy that you did what you did because it sheds a light on what, as the current leader of the BNTU, under my leadership, what I am trying to change. We have had multiple situations of this nature, where retired members have contributed to this organization, and once they don’t pay the fifty-four dollars  annually, then they lose all benefits. The debt claim is two dollars a month, twenty-four dollars  a year. I have been in this, I have been a part of this union for thirty-three years, and when you calculate my two dollars times twelve times thirty-three I have paid seven hundred twenty-four dollars but the benefit is three thousand dollars, so I get far more than what I invest into the fund. But once you stop paying, you lose that benefit. And those of you who have been to every conventions, you will remember that this member, Nadia Caliz, not as your president, as a member, have been running, putting forward resolutions for there to be what you call a payout. If the member decides to retire and not be a part of the organization, then there’s a benefit that the member should be given. Each time that resolution has been struck down. So now under my leadership as the president of this organization. And those who attended the branch meetings and the convention can attest to this, there is a proposal that has been voted on for an increase in dues, and attached to that is an increase in debt benefit and a five-year, three to five-year benefit package attached to you after retirement. And so you don’t need to come forward and make that monthly contribution because of situations like these.”

 

Caliz says the BNTU is rolling out a new database to track member dues and flag retirees who fall behind. But he says the union’s rules are clear: death benefits cannot be paid if a member is not up to date with contributions.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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