UB and U.B.F.S.U. Sign Agreement

Today, the management of the University of Belize announced that a decision has been reached with the UB Faculty and Staff Union to address the university’s financial shortfall of more than seven million dollars.  The UB says that last Friday, they signed the agreement that outlines the measures to be implemented that will affect the institution and employees.  According to the release, those new measures include a “tiered cut in salaries from twenty-two percent to five percent; an increment freeze for the financial year; as well as a Voluntary Separation Program.” Another cost cutting measures will see the restructuring of certain areas of the University’s operations. A secondary matter agreed upon includes the ability to work from home with a technology grant and an interest-free loan to eligible employees for the procurement of internet access and a device to facilitate this. The University and the U.B.F.S.U. also agreed that they will review the university’s finances in six months’ time to determine if they can restore salaries.