N.T.U.C.B. discussing possibility of joining coalition against offshore drilling

Jackie Willoughby SAnchez

There is word tonight that the newly organized coalition against oil exploration will get the support of a powerful ally. That can come in the next few days from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize which is the umbrella organization for the Christian Workers Union, the Belize National Teachers Union, Belize Water Services Workers Union, Belize Energy Workers Union, Public Service Union, Belize Communication Workers Union and the Belize Workers Union. It’s the strongest organized group in the country and has through words, marches, and protests helped to shape the voice of the people. The N.T.U.C.B. is in serious discussions this week to decide whether or not it will join another coalition that has been amassing membership from all aspects of society over the past few weeks. That’s right, the N.T.U.C.B. is about to determine whether or not it will join the Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage.  News Five spoke to Jackie Willoughby Sanchez, NTUCB’s General Secretary, to find when a decision would be made.

Jackie Willoughby Sanchez, General Secretary, N.T.U.C.B.

“The general principal we have is we are against offshore drilling. The environmental factors that are affecting it is not very clear to all of us, so we are making sure we consult with our affiliates as well as we are having meetings with the coalition—just to get a clear and broader understanding of the impact it has on the environment. But early on, we wrote to the Prime Minister to declare all the contracts.  We haven’t gotten any response from him, but we did write to the Prime Minister.”

Jose Sanchez

“With Island Oil seen as a Guatemalan company, it seems to be a sovereign issue. N.T.U.C.B. is known to be very strong and very vocal. Is this something that is very particular upsetting?”

Jackie Willoughby Sanchez

“We have not yet met since that information come out. But if I can speak of the perspective of Miss Willoughby, I would definitely that it is definitely disturbing. This is a country that has a claim on your country, but yet you give them a company, a legal person to come and operate here in the precious area that they are claiming. It goes back to my concern that I consistently ask the Attorney General: “Can you say by our conduct that we have not been relinquishing our own rights to the Guatemalans?”

Jose Sanchez

“I know the B.N.T.U. seems to be leaning in this same direction also. How soon can we see a unified voice of the N.T.U.C.B. saying either we are for or against?”

Jackie Willoughby Sanchez

“We’re supposed to be meeting on Friday and so I believe shortly thereafter you will be hearing something.”