Still No Official Certification for UB Faculty and Staff Union

Pio Saqui

But the UB Faculty and Staff Union is faced with another dilemma. Even as it has been in existence for twenty years and has represented its members, the union has not been able to receive its certificate, despite meeting all requirements. Back in January, it was set to receive its certification, but there was another delay. Doctor Pio Saqui likened it to meeting all school requirements, but not graduating to receive your certificate.  

Dr. Pio Saqui, President, U.B.F.S.U.

“Our faculty and staff has not had a formal union for its almost twenty years of existence and in January of this year we met all requisites to achieve certification as a legal body and as a sole bargaining agent for the faculty and staff of the University of Belize. That said, that has not come by easily. We are still awaiting for the tripartite body to sign the certificate and hand it to us. So this is the only thing that is pending, which is sort of like a ceremony. I don’t if you have been in that position where you have met all your school requirements, but you have to wait fu go dah graduation. Yo smart, but we noh tell you yo smart yet. So that’s where we are at the moment and we are actually disappointed by that fact because I think we have waited long enough. We were certified since January and we need to know that that certification can be completed because in any conversation and representation of the university, we have to be for certainly legitimate in what we are taking on.”