‘Shyne’ Barrow: “Both Political Parties Have Failed Teachers and Public Servants”

The Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT), representing the country’s major public sector unions, issued a firm rejection of the Briceño administration’s latest salary adjustment proposal following a four-hour meeting on Friday.

The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), Public Service Union (PSU), and Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM) described the 4% salary offer as a “step backwards” and “insulting.” BNTU President Nadia Caliz criticised the proposal, stating, “You are offering us four percent with one hand and on the other hand you are talking about pension which the rate is five percent annually… We don’t call that good faith, we call that down right disrespect.”

Caliz confirmed the rejection was unanimous among union leaders, and the matter will now be brought to members for a vote.

Meanwhile, former Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow issued a sharp rebuke of the Briceño administration on social media, calling the situation a “continued betrayal” of teachers and public officers.

Barrow accused both major political parties of neglecting the welfare of workers.

“For far too long both sides of the political divide have taken the people and teachers for granted. Successive governments are guilty of failing the teachers, public servants and society at large,” Barrow stated.

He criticised Prime Minister John Briceño for not fulfilling his 2020 campaign promises. “I call on the Prime Minister to be a person of his word and give teachers what he promised in 2020, which was a 20% pay raise,” Barrow added.

“When the PM was Opposition Leader he marched with the Unions and implored the then Administration to better compensate teachers,” he said. “Now he sits in a position where with the stroke of a pen he gives $200 million for acquisitions, $30 million for Airport security to cronies who failed to prevent one of the worse National Security breaches ever… but they refuse to give the teachers and public servants their due.”