PSU breaks ground on new HQ
Today the Public Service Union got itself a new place to call home. Official ground breaking ceremonies were held on Kut Avenue this morning for a new building slated to become the Belize City headquarters of the PSU. On hand to do some of the shoveling was Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal, Dickie Bradley. President of the PSU, Margaret Ventura says the original headquarters of the union was on this very site prior to moving to Belmopan. Ventura says the multi-purpose building will be available to all members of the union.
Margaret Ventura, President, Public Service Union
“It will serve as the place where they can meet together, organize, strategize, deal with the issues at hand and a place where the members can come together for business and recreational activities.”
Janelle Chanona
“As you go into your general meeting June 3rd, what kind of issues are going to be on the table?”
Margaret Ventura
“Well there are quite a few. There will of course be a report of the year’s activities, there is a general concern with the membership, particularly at this time on the proposed reform of the health sector and the implications for public officers. There are deep and genuine concerns at this point and time, particularly with the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme, changes to the pensions and also changes to our Social Security. We’re hoping that we can get all the information that is being prepared at this time and take a position on it very shortly.”
Janelle Chanona
“As far as the situation with Mr. Hubert Enriquez after the City Council elections, what’s happening with that?”
Margaret Ventura
“He did contest the elections and he did that as a personal decision. The council of management felt very strongly that we were not in support of any executive member running for political office. We took a position, he was expelled and our constitution gives him a right to appeal to the general membership and he will get that appeal on June 3rd in Corozal when we have our annual general meeting.”
Members of the union interested in attending the general meeting in Corozal can contact their branch chairperson about transportation. The new building for the union headquarters in Belize City is being partly funded by the Ministry of Housing.
