Did Ministry’s sentiments sway turnout at meetings?

Luke Palacio

President Luke Palacio was asked whether the Ministry’s suggestions affected turnout to the meeting. He said he could not say for sure, but he believed that teachers were ready and willing to make the necessary “sacrifice.”

Luke Palacio, National President, Belize National Teachers’ Union

“I cannot say with any degree of certainty that it worked. One of the things that we need to understand in our country, it is so unfortunate that the few people who are employed depend on the salary that they make. And so therefore yes if you are going to threaten me, that if you walk off your job, that if you do industrial action, that you may lose your job, you may lose your salary, of course people will be dissuaded, but there are people who are strong, those who are determined, those who believe in the cause and they are prepared to make that sacrifice and I believe a number of our members have made that sacrifice this afternoon, throughout the country.”