B.N.T.U. Rallies for Monday’s Strike – But Will It Go Further?
It is for more than the three—it is for country…That was the message from the Executive of the Belize National Teachers Union this afternoon at a press conference in the City. The teachers are asking for several things, including an international independent investigation into the William Danny Mason scandal, for government to sign on to the UN Convention Against Corruption as well as the re-introduction of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill and the installation of the thirteenth senator. But the burning question is will the industrial action extend past Monday’s strike? While the militant union reps would not disclose their plan of action, they did call for others to join their cause.
Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U.
“This evening, we say to you stand up with the B.N.T.U. because if you are doing that, you are standing up for the country. The many issues that plague our nation today and a number of us have been quiet or silent over the last few years and it is time for us not only to say that enough is enough, but for us to act on that premise that enough is enough.”
Endevora Jorgenson
Endevora Jorgenson, B.N.T.U.
“This B.N.T.U. call began over a year ago when we declared a stand up for Belize campaign. As you are well aware, we have two huge demands. And the two big demands are B.N.T.U. demands good governance—hence the call for the signing of the UNCAC, the United Nation’s Convention Against Corruption. We need to eliminate corruption. We have been fighting it for years and years. And if it is wrong, it is wrong. It was wrong in 2005—it is still wrong, so we need to correct it. So please join us in this demand for good governance that the B.N.T.U. has called. With good governance, we also call for the thirteenth senator. It was our Prime Minister who signed and asked and requested and lobbied for the thirteenth senator. Now he tells us he cannot fulfill it because a thirteenth senator will paralyze his government.”
Luke Palacio
Luke Palacio
“The doors are not closed. The B.N.T.U. never closes doors; the B.N.T.U. maintains open doors because that is what teachers do. And so if and when the powers that be decide that they really want to come and talk and that they mean business and that they are not trying to intimidate and try to get us to succumb to their wishes—based on the tactics they’ve always used—then I guess we will continue along this path.”
