Unions stick to guns but admit dissension
But the unions–or at least certain elements of the leadership–are sticking to their guns, refusing to back down from their opposition to the proposed increases. This afternoon, General Secretary of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, George Frazer, told us that members feel this extreme move was absolutely necessary…while at the same time admitting that dissension in the ranks is threatening to break up the N.T.U.C.B. leadership.
George Frazer, Gen. Sec., Natl. Trade Union Congress Bz.
“With regards to the closing of school, the teachers have made their decision. Yesterday evening the Belize branch held their meeting, they wanted to shutdown schools from today, but we said no, there is need for proper organisation and arranging and informing the managers. We will be having a meeting with the general managers tomorrow at two to inform them. We don’t want to jeopardize the students or parents getting their report cards.”
“The Chamber of Commerce and the Belize Business Bureau, along with the Trade Union Congress, we are all opposed to any increase, the one percent additional increase in the rate and to roll out the beyond the three hundred and twenty dollars. We should be having a meeting probably in an hour or so with the representative of the Chamber, in which we will bring out a joint a press release to that effect. We are also agreed that we are asking the government to wait until the new actuarial report comes out, which should be out in two or three months and then let the new board look at the recommendations and again, what is health of the Social Security funds and then decide whether there is any need for an increase.”
Janelle Chanona
“Now tell me something Mr. Frazer, you are saying that the eight unions are behind you, but I’ve been made to understand that as late as last night Mr. Lawrence Nicholas, one of the union representatives, resigned in that capacity.”
George Frazer
“He is the president of the Trade Union Congress. We did receive a piece of correspondence from him and so…”
Janelle Chanona
“He resigned?”
George Frazer
“He did indicate his intent there and the congress will be meeting on Friday to decide whether we accept that resignation or not.”
Janelle Chanona
“Is that an indication that there is in-house fighting amongst the unions on your position?”
George Frazer
“Well, in-house fighting, I don’t know if it’s the best word, but there are some areas of disagreements or interpretation of certain things and certain responsibilities and so we need to look at that and take it from there.”
Janelle Chanona
“Does this help your cause though, why the disagreement, what’s the source of the disagreement?”
George Frazer
“Well because the president feels that he has a sort of carte blanche to make decisions without coming back and getting the consensus of general congress. And we feel that major decisions like these, whether you are president, general secretary, you need to come back to your source. So these are some of the areas.”
Most leaders of the various unions comprising the N.T.U.C.B. were either busy consulting their members or were not authorized to speak on record to the press. Off the record, a number of union officials told News 5 that they are extremely embarrassed by the decision of teachers to strike, which they called premature, and criticized Frazer and other officials for remarks to the media accusing certain colleagues of “selling out”.
