Lion of the BNTU” George Frazer Dies at 78

Career educator George Frazer passed away at seventy-eight. He wasn’t just a name in the teachers’ movement; he was one of its pillars. A founding member of the Belize National Teachers Union and a fierce defender of educators’ rights, Frazer helped shape the BNTU into the powerful voice it is today. As General Secretary and later as a senior advisor, he was always on the frontlines, organizing, negotiating, and showing up at every major demonstration where teachers demanded respect, fair wages, and a real seat at the table. Even in retirement, his voice never faded. He never stopped insisting that teachers deserve dignity in the classroom and in national policy. Tonight, tributes are pouring in from those who marched beside him and those he inspired from afar. We spoke with two of them, former BNTU President Luke Palacio and NTUCB President Ellah Waight, about what the man many called “the Lion of the BNTU” meant to Belize’s labour movement.

 

Luke Palacio, Former President, BNTU

“George was no pushover. George was a vociferous individual, ardent fighter for the rights of workers. And not only teachers, but workers in general and the country of Belize. I can say that George was not only a teacher, not only a leader, but in my case, he was also a father to me. George would’ve mentored me. George had advised me. George took me into his home, like I said earlier, and during my years as the President of BNTU, between 2011 and 2017, I boarded with George on Gibnut Street. So I am very familiar with the gentleman. Jovial fellow at conventions, George would be the one – yes he will ensure that the business is flowing but when it is time to party, he would’ve also been on the floor, the first one on the floor, partying with all our teachers. And when he had to stand up, he would stand up.”

 

Ellah Waight, President, National Trade Union Congress of Belize

“The National Trade Union Congress joins the BNTU and the wider labor movement in mourning the passing of renowned union leader brother George Frazer. If you know brother Frazer, brother Frazer was a principle and courageous advocate for teachers rights, social justice and good governance. If you know that his leadership within the BNTU and his unwavering commitment to the trade union movement helped shape the labor advocacy in Belize and inspired generations of unionists. So we extend NTUCB and all our affiliate unions extend our deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, and of course the entire BNTU membership who we know at this very moment are very sad, but I know that they recognize and they appreciate everything that brother Frazer has done for the union movement in Belize.”