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May 10, 2021
Unions Reject Land Credit and Mortgage Proposals; Talks to Continue Thursday
Today marks the eleventh day that the Belize National Teachers Union has been on strike, matching the record set in 2016. The Joint Unions Negotiating Team and government representatives are scheduled to meet on Thursday and reports are that a decision on strike actions will not be taken until Friday. So where do the discussions stand currently? And, how possible is it that strike actions will conclude by weekend? Union leaders were on Open Your Eyes Morning Show today. News Five’s Paul Lopez files the following report.
Paul Lopez
May 7, 2021
Government Makes New Proposals; Unions Cautiously Optimistic
The Joint Unions Negotiating Team may now be seeing some light at the end of the proverbial tunnel in their fight for good governance. News Five has confirmed that during Thursday’s negotiation meeting, G.O.B.’s team presented three drafts of good governance legislation. Although government had initially indicated that it would take at least three months to prepare and present these drafts, it appears the process has been expedited. Union leaders are now taking back to their membership a draft of whistleblowers’ legislation, a draft of asset recovery legislation, and a draft campaign financing legislation. There is also a proposed promissory note with possible interest to make up for the proposed salary cuts. Union leaders are being optimistically cautious moving forward. News Five’s Paul Lopez joined the unions through the streets of Belize City today. He filed the following report
st Vice President, P.S.U.
“We have served the public service notice that we will take legal action where our people are being victimized. And, because of the victimization that is happening with termination and transfers, the talks this morning almost broke down and that is why we did not get far. And I want to be clear on that. The talks this morning almost broke down, because of the nonsense that was on tv last night whereby people were being threatened. I am pleased to report that under the good leadership of the three ministers there today we were able to get their commitment that the victimization stops, and it stops now…”
May 5, 2021
Finally, G.O.B. and Joint Unions Enter Negotiations
The Joint Unions Negotiating Team and representatives of the Briceño administration resumed discussion on Tuesday afternoon. That meeting was held at the House of Culture here in Belize City and lasted for almost six and a half hours. Both parties later exited the compound at around seven p.m. Today, when we spoke with the President of the Public Service Union, Gerald Henry, he was unable to provide specific details of the meeting because discussions with government are still ongoing. He did, however, mentioned that the discussions were cordial and that the joint unions finally feel that they have entered negotiations.