What Does the UB Faculty and Staff Union Has to Say…

But according to the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union, they are seeking greater involvement in the process of mitigating the impact of COVID-19. In a response letter to President Sankat, the union says that it needs to be engaged as the sole collective bargaining agent for the three hundred and fifty plus faculty and staff in the employ of the university; the union currently has two hundred and thirty-four registered members. Union President Doctor Pio Saqui says that there are protocols for the determination of financial exigency, which are clearly defined through an established process put in place in 2002 by the then Board of Trustees of the university.

Pio Saqui

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

“We have asked the president, and this is where we are at in the conversation, that we engaged in an agreed upon process; especially one that is already spelt out for us so that we can ensure that the faculty and staff and not just our union members, but every member of faculty and staff are treated fairly and that they feel that they have been engaged and participated adequately so that they can find whatever outcome that comes by to be acceptable. We know that it may not be satisfactory because we wouldn’t like to change how it is, only for the better, but at this moment, we don’t know what those changes will be and of course that is the purpose of the deadline that’s been set out. The president has made it clear that all options are on the table and indeed that is a very serious point he makes because indeed we have to be prepared for all options.”