COLA Throws Support Behind Teachers’ Union

Geovannie Brackett

The Belize National Teachers’ Union continues to have support from its grassroots partners, including COLA. President Geovannie Brackett says the Union’s demands are just the same as their own, and are not unreasonable or unwilling to compromise as depicted by the Prime Minister. Brackett stated that this fight is one that the country needs.

Geovannie Brackett, President, COLA

“We should not be asking, we should not have to do industrial action to get an independent investigation into the murder of Pastor Lue. We should not be having to have an industrial action so that we can get a senate inquiry that represents to me a balance, rather than a one-sided coin whereby it is government top-heavy. When I heard the Prime Minsiter speak to certain members of the union and the N.T.U.C.B. who are willing to sort of maybe bend or listen to what he has to say, I’d like to say outwardly….I have very little hope or no hope in the Public Service Union and their leadership right now. I believe that the members that they represent would want them to take the same very action that the teachers are taking. When you look at even the utilities union, that union went on the record to support the churches’ call for appeal to the judgment of Section Fifty-three. I think when it comes to the utilities union and the teachers union, those unions are ready and prepared to fight for good governance. When it comes to the other unions, I cannot say the same. And I will not allow the Prime Minister to persuade me any other way and our membership at COLA will continue to support the Teachers’ Union.”

In a statement, the organization says in part: “We find it ludicrous that the man who promoted “civil disobedience” and encouraged widespread unrest while in Opposition will now accuse teachers of being unreasonable and holding the children of Belize at ransom. We condemn the personal attacks on the B.N.T.U.’s leadership and on the teachers by operatives of the United Democratic Party who refer to them as “illiterate” and “money-hungry.” These campaigns on the educators of our children are cowardly and unwarranted, and reveal to what depths this arrogant government will go to protect Ministers accused of corruption.”