P.S.U. Rethinks Its Position on Increment Agreement
Dean Flowers
While there has been no official word on whether a deal has been reached, the Public Service Union has re-examined its view of the use of the word “defer” in respect of an agreement with the Government of Belize where increments for public officers are concerned. The original use of the word, as it appeared in a document finalizing a new arrangement on Friday, was a sticking point for the Belize National Teachers Union whose position on allowances for teachers was the use of the word “defer.” This morning, P.S.U. Vice President Dean Flowers also said that a committee will be formed to look at ways in which government can cut costs going forward.
Dean Flowers, 1st Vice President, P.S.U.
“We have since reconsidered our position where the use of the word “defer” is concerned and we said, look the general content of the agreement is what is important and the meat of this agreement will be hashed out going forward with us doing what we need to do to ensure that this economic rebound and that government changes its policy where the current wastage and, if I can say, reckless spending in the public service is concerned. The prime minister was very welcoming of the initial cost saving measures that we had proposed. He readily said that he has looked at them and he’s in agreement that some of them are good to go. He has asked that we look at putting together a committee which will comprise of the union and the official side and that the details and implementation of those and also more importantly the monitoring of those over the short, medium and long-term can be hashed out and for me that’s a win.”
