B.N.T.U. Leader Meets with U.B.F.S.U.

Elena Smith

National President of the Belize National Teachers Union Senator Elena Smith this afternoon met with the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union in Belmopan as it prepares to protest this Thursday.  The powerful B.N.T.U. has been invited to take part in Thursday’s demonstration and show support to its sister U.B. Faculty and Staff Union. The Union is at odds with the University because it has been excluded as the sole negotiating agent of its members in discussions on cost cutting measures at U.B.  The U.B. union is finding favour with the B.N.T.U. and Senator Smith told News Five today that she understands the union’s fight and finds it unfair that the management of the university has decided to ignore the faculty and staff.

Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U.

“We do understand what it is they are going through and what they are fighting for. I do believe that they are right in their fight. That is my personal opinion. That they are right in their fight because I can see based what they have shared with us based on what the handbook calls for in terms of the process I can see where their presentation and their request are based on that process that should be followed. So in that sense and for that reason, I do support and I think that it is only fair. If you are going to be making changes that will affect your employees it is only fair to have them involved in the decision making at least to hear from them for them to present their position, to make suggestion to the board. I think it will be fair for the board to give them that audience and that opportunity.”