The Green Machine is Activating Against Proposed BTL-SMART Acquisition

The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) is throwing its full support behind next Tuesday’s planned demonstration against BTL’s proposed acquisition of Speednet (SMART). BNTU’s President Nadia Caliz has urged teachers to take to the streets and make their discontent heard.

Caliz says the BNTU’s participation follows a decision by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) calling on all affiliated unions and their memberships to join the August 18 demonstration.

Caliz framed the protest as a test of who government actually answers to.

“The assets of this country belong to us. The elected officials are temporary custodians; therefore, decisions need to be made in the best interest of the Belizean people and not a minority,” she said. 

She added, “So if you want change, if you want to ensure that the electorates of this country prove to the elected officials that they’re there on our behalf, that they are not there to represent themselves, well, this is the opportunity… Nothing happens if nothing happens.”

In a memo issued Wednesday, the BNTU informed stakeholders that its members will be unable to actively participate in professional development activities planned for August 18.

“It is important that our leaders pay keen attention to what is happening and understand that we are all in power because the people… voted them in,” she said.