PSU – “We’re Prepared to Die for that Pension”

The Public Service Union is standing its ground in the fight for better pay for public workers. Today, union leaders made it clear they’re not accepting the government’s latest offer, two small salary increases spread out over three years. Early this morning, the PSU leadership team marched peacefully to the Ministry of Labor in Belmopan, where they hand-delivered a formal declaration of a trade dispute. Their message? Public officers deserve more and they’re ready to push for it. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there to capture the moment. Here’s that story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This morning, the streets of Belmopan saw members of the Public Service Union taking to the pavement. Their destination was the Ministry of Labour. Over the weekend, PSU members made their stance crystal clear, ninety-four percent voted to reject the government’s pay offer, and ninety-two percent backed declaring a trade dispute. So today, the union’s leadership followed through, marching straight to the ministry to hand-deliver that declaration. It was a bold and peaceful show of unity, as the PSU continues its push for fairer wages and better treatment for Belize’s public officers.

 

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“It is not our intention to create any damage to this society, any harm to any citizen, any harm to any government property, but what we will do, we’ll stand for justice. We’re not here to bring down any government. We’re not here to push any political card. We’re here. To defend livelihoods and dignity and we pension. We wa fight for that.”

 

The Public Service Union has officially declared a trade dispute, using Section Eleven of the Essential Services Act to do so. Now, the ball is in the government’s court, the Minister of Labour has twenty-one days to review the case and decide if it’s valid. In the meantime, the PSU says it will keep pushing for fairer wages and better treatment for public officers.

 

Dean Flowers

“While the honorable Minister of State might be accustomed to having his way in the private sector, having his way in, what I believe is clearly the exploitation of labour in the private sector. I wish to serve a serious warning. It ain’t gonna happen in the public sector, my brother, because we’re prepared to die for that pension and we will die for that pension.”

 

The Joint Union Negotiating Team continues to demand an eight-point-five percent salary adjustment for public officers, teachers, and pensioners and an additional increase in the minimum wage for public sector workers from five to six dollars. The government, however, maintains that this is not an achievable request to meet in this fiscal year.

 

Dean Flowers

“Perhaps they might want to look at their economic model to ensure that we tax contribution is concerned, tax contribution is concerned, we will continue to do our part, but the private sector and more importantly, these far foreign investors must not be held accountable to pay their fair share. And the fleecing must stop where these statutory bodies are concerned. We want to see audited financial statements in the next sitting at house of representative for all of these statutory bodies.”

 

The Public Service Union says it’s time for the government to go back to the drawing board and restart talks with the Joint Union Negotiating Team. Until then, their fight persists.

 

Dean Flowers

“ On June 5th, 2025, the government wrote to the joint forming its position on the minimum wage in the public service. And subjecting a 4% salary increase to contributor pension. Subsequently, we also serve further, notice that if an amicable solution is not arrived at or before the expiration of 21 days, the union hereby notifies you of our intention to strike based on the trade dispute with the government of Belize.”

 

PSU President, Dean Flowers says that this is a cause that is willing to die for, but us hopeful that a resolution can be made in good faith for the benefit of Belizeans. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

The PSU now awaits a response from the government to the declaration of the trade dispute.