Utility Unions Throw Support Behind B.N.T.U.
Marvin Mora
On Tuesday evening, the three unions representing public utility workers – the Communication Workers’ Union, the Energy Workers’ Union and the Water Services’ Workers’ Union—met in Belize City to discuss the activities of sister union the Belize National Teachers’ Union. As you might guess, they are in support. But how much was not yet determined at that time, as we hear in this short interview with spokesperson and President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Marvin Mora. Mora also commented on the role of the N.T.U.C.B. in bringing the union movement together.
Marvin Mora, Spokesperson, Utilities Unions
“The only thing I can tell you is that I can’t comment much about it. We did address the issue of the teachers and the strike and all of those, ventilated them properly. And then of course a press release will be directed to the public tomorrow latest.”
Reporter
“What was the general tone of the meeting?”
Marvin Mora
“It was tense, very tense. That’s as far as I can say.”
Reporter
“One more thing. In terms of the trade union congress, we had separate meetings for the teachers, separate meeting for the public service, now the utilities. Is this is a sign of division because you guys are supposed to be working together?”
Marvin Mora
“No actually it is a sign of gathering consensus and of course eventually we will have to come together to the table.”
Today, a joint release from the unions expressly states that they support the payment of the salary adjustment of three percent to teachers and advises the members of the Joint Union Negotiating Team to do their utmost best to unify their position in this regard, then return to the negotiating table with the Government and the Prime Minister. Second, on the B.N.T.U.’s eight-point agenda, the utilities’ unions believe that all unions through the N.T.U.C.B. should be working together to get the Government on board with their plans. Finally, the Christian Workers’ Union issued a press release today stating in part, “In solidarity with our teachers, CWU calls on its members to come out tomorrow Thursday, October sixth, 2016 to show support for the educators of our beloved Belize…CWU asks fellow workers and parents when they come out to demonstrate alongside the Teachers in their respective districts, to wear something green – a green shirt, green pants, a green banner, a green ribbon or a sign on your vehicle with the B.N.T.U. Slogan, ‘Teechaz got yuh Bak.’”
