N.T.U.C.B. says legislation changes are needed to allow officers to defend their rights

Dylan Reneau

The N.T.U.C.B. contends that a threat by the Ministry of National Security to disband the Police Association is tantamount to union busting.  According to Reneau, the specific piece of legislation that applies to the association needs to be revised to allow officers the right to defend and protect their rights.

Dylan Reneau, President, N.T.U.C.B.

“The first trade union legislation in this country was passed in 1941 and that was after years of agitation by potential trade unions because we could not have been called a trade union until that legislation was passed.  Looking at what has been portrayed with regards to the Police Association, I think it’s a joke and certainly I think their rights, their ability to advance their rights needs to be given more teeth, it needs to be expanded.  And so I support the Police Association and we will have to help them agitate for that change so that we can have the change.  I have stopped at checkpoints time and time again and heard police officers complain about the conditions because I’ve been able to give some of them a ride up to Belmopan on some occasions and they tell us about the hours they work, the conditions under which they work, the fact that there’s legislation or policies that provide for their movement, transfers, etc. and it’s never followed.  So I look at that and I say to myself these people really need a union but I understand the position of the government but they need to advance the rights of these workers a little more than or a little less than maybe what a union can be because I do understand the argument.  But I want to caution them as well that the I.L.O. provides that ability for them to secure their rights and to agitate for rights.  So in that instance that’s why I personally support the Police Association and the N.T.U.C.B., as a body, supports the Police Association in their quest.”

As part of the process, the association will not be making further statements. And there is word that Arzu and Lorenzo have been placed on interdiction.