‘Noh Play Smart!’ B.N.T.U. Will Hit Back at P.M.

Dean Barrow

As you heard earlier, the Teachers’ Union has not taken kindly to Prime Minister Dean Barrow attempting to go around them in his response to their letter seeking an update on their eight demands made during last year’s strike.  According to the union, the P.M. copied the letter to the National Trade Union Congress of Belize and Association of Public Service Senior Managers in an attempt to – in the words of past National President Luke Palacio – ‘lash’ the B.N.T.U.  He has derisively suggested that they seek out those answers from the press, in reference to recent updates issued by the Integrity Commission and on UNCAC implementation. Not amused, the union will write him again, and President Smith says this time they won’t be so nice.

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

“He has responded as you’ve heard, in other words, saying to us that we must get our responses from the media, because the media has the answers. The same Prime Minister who has said before to the media that he does not really pay attention to the news, is telling us that we must get our information and update from the media. And so the Council has decided that we must send him another letter – we must respond to the letter which we know we should – and he wanted specifics. And now we are going to be sending him a letter with specifics – exactly what it is that we want to get from him. I am sure that he will not like what will be in the letter, but that is what happens when you try to be smart.”