Demonstration Planned for Wednesday as Meeting with P.M. Postponed

Luke Palacio

During the meeting between the B.N.T.U. and the PM on Thursday, President Luke Palacio says that there was agreement that the presidents of the B.N.T.U., the Association of the Public Service Senior Managers and the Public Service Union would meet with the Prime Minister on Monday afternoon. According to B.N.T.U., PM Barrow has now backtracked and has postponed that meeting to Wednesday.  The teachers have thus moved a planned demonstration for Monday to Wednesday in the Old Capital.

Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U.

“Unfortunately, the Prime Minister of Belize continues to play games with the B.N.T.U. and the nation’s children; a game that he is intent on winning.  He says he is a man of his word and, as indicated to us yesterday, his willingness and availability to meet with the Joint Unions Negotiating Team regarding the three percent salary adjustment that is he requesting that we defer. Today, he has taken back his word and will not meet with us until Wednesday of next week here in Belize City. We must question whether the P.M and his government are serious about getting back the children of Belize into our classrooms.”

Keisha Young

Keisha Young, Executive Secretary, B.N.T.U.

“Like the president has rightly indicated, the P.M. had told us at the end of last night’s meeting that those meeting note will be forwarded to us today and that he will make final confirmation of our meeting for Monday. We didn’t receive anything and so this afternoon, we sent him a message saying, “Good Afternoon P.M. Kindly take note that we at the B.N.T.U. have not yet received the meeting notes from yesterday as promised and have not yet received final confirmation of Monday’s meeting date you agreed to. Could you be so kind as to address these matters promptly for us? Looking forward to a positive reply.” And the P.M. responded, “C.E.O. Wallace is doing a last review of the meeting notes and should get the final version to you shortly. I will be unable to meet on Monday afternoon since it turns out I have a previous commitment. Tuesday is cabinet so I wish to suggest Wednesday in Belize City—either morning or afternoon would be good.”