BNTU President Challenges GOB to Drag out Salary Negotiations

All charges have been dropped from the eleven teachers involved in a protest staged in Dangriga last week. The teachers, all members of the Belize National Teachers’ Union, were accused of disrupting the flow of traffic during a motor blockade. The situation escalated when authorities arrived at the scene and attempted to remove the teachers from the road. All charges, however, have since been dropped, much to the relief of B.N.T.U. President, Nadia Caliz. This morning in Belmopan, Police escorted the Public Service Union to the Ministry of Labour, where P.S.U. President Dean Flowers delivered a declaration of a trade dispute. While there, Caliz expressed her gratitude to the department and those who aided in getting the charges dropped, but reaffirmed her commitment to the unions’ collective mission- securing an eight-point-five salary increase for teachers and other public officers. Here’s what she had to say.

 

Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union

“I appreciate the fact that the police department is doing the right thing because the evidence is showing that they aggravated the situation. So I’m very happy for that. I also need to thank the lawyers, those who volunteered, who came forward ton for working with us. Pitts and Elrington, Mr. Saldivar, Senator Dennison, everybody that came forward to assist the BNTU, I must say. Thank you. Thank you very much for that.”

 

Britney Gordon

”And what are the next steps in terms of demonstrating for the union? I know you can’t exactly get into the details, but what is the plan moving forward?”

 

Nadia Caliz

“Lemme just say that the BNTU has its eyes on the prize, eight point five and that government needs to realize that we ain’t playing no game. And you are dragging out the negotiations and I’m watching all little dance that you’re doing and we are dancing with you because right now we want to see if you are genuine about the people, genuine about workers. You know, that is key. But right now where we sit, where the BNTU sits, you are trying to drag it up because school di close and yo think we no got no leverage. Teachers smart. Worry about reopening. So dreg it out. Worry about reopening.”