2nd Vice Prez Kenneth Mortis Can’t Solve P.S.U. Internal Fire
Kenneth Mortis
Also signing on the document dated May sixth, was Kenneth Mortis. He is the second vice president of the Public Service Union and is a career fireman. Mortis says that both he and Neal were supported heavily by the southern branches of the P.S.U., including Dangriga, in their bid for seats on the executive. Mortis says he is baffled by Neal’s position on Garifuna people.
Kenneth Mortis, 2nd Vice President, P.S.U.
“It’s somewhat confusing. It’s somewhat mind-distracting and if I may go to the extent as to say that it is somewhat upsetting. I’ve heard the conversation in parts, based on the recording, and I am a bit dismayed over what I’ve heard regarding the derogatory comments towards our Garifuna culture here in the country. I for one, I pretty much love the Garinagu, I love their culture, I love everything about them. Whatever led to that conversation between the three parties involved, namely my president of the union, it is a plate to digest and it’s something to definitely think about, to see the impact that it has caused to not just the Public Service Union of Belize but the country as a whole and as a nation.”
Isani Cayetano
“Has there been a discussion amongst you guys with regards to the potential impact of this on the second largest union in the country?”
Kenneth Mortis
“To date we haven’t convened, we haven’t discussed what is circling out there. I am anticipating a meeting to see where we go from here. For us in-house at the Council of Management, it was with the support of the Dangriga Public Service Union members at our AGM in 2015 in Orange Walk, rallied for Mr. Neal to be where he is at as the president, and also rallied for me to be the second vice president of the said union. Like I said before, we haven’t convened as yet and I can almost safely say with the balance of colleagues that we are anticipating a meeting to see where we go from here, to see if there is any damage control, if any.”
Isani Cayetano
“Do you believe that there is indeed a culture war taking place here, within the P.S.U.?”
Kenneth Mortis
“We have never; I have never sensed a culture war. I sit with these guys every month, once a month minimum, sometimes two to three times per month. It’s been going on one year and pretty much one year and a half, plus, and like I said, I’ve never sensed a cultural war. We are at a level where we convene, put matters to the table, we pretty much voice our dissatisfaction. Everybody will never be satisfied with the decisions that have to be made but it’s at the Council of Management level that we trash out these disagreements in-house.”
