The memo from the Ministry of Education has obviously not been well received by the B.N.T.U. This afternoon, the B.N.T.U. executive met on the matter which could lead to further industrial action. President Luke Palacio said the union’s attorneys are carefully considering the legalities involved. Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U. “We are also studying […]
According to the B.N.T.U., the salary deductions for the days on strike, is another form of attack against teachers. Palacio says that it is the school management that determines the issue of deductions. In a release this afternoon, B.N.T.U. calls the move a threat and bullying tactic by G.O.B. Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U. […]
The memo requests information on the number of striking teachers to be delivered within hours earlier today. The B.N.T.U. believes that this latest missive is not an act of good faith on the part of government. Keesha Young, Executive Secretary, B.N.T.U. “We feel as if though that request is almost ridiculous. Schools were just […]
This afternoon the People’s United Party was quick to respond to the plight of the teachers. In a press conference today, Leader of the Opposition John Briceño demanded that the Government pay the teachers for the days of industrial action. Briceño says that G.O.B. has not only a legal obligation, but also a moral one […]
While the Ministry of Education and Belize National Teachers’ Union have not made up yet, the teachers were back in school in full force today. A check of schools across the Old Capital found students in their many uniforms returned to classes under the watchful eyes of their teachers. So even as the Union keeps […]
The overwhelming number of branches of the Belize National Teachers’ has agreed to end their eleven-day industrial action as of this evening and return to classes on Wednesday morning. This follows a round of meetings of the Council of Management and, this morning, of the ten branches of the Union at the same time countrywide. […]
The Union says that its eight-point agenda, the three percent salary adjustment deferral and Social Security coverage to and from work were just about fulfilled. There was no agreement on two points: the removal of Senator Godwin Hulse as Minister of Immigration and Police, and a five-person Senate Select Inquiry Committee rather than six. As […]
As the teachers and students return to class, there is concern about possible punitive measures including withholding of salaries for the eleven days of absences by teachers. The B.N.T.U. has promised to stand up for its teachers on this point, but the decision lies in the hands of school managements. Palacio made an urgent appeal […]
The B.N.T.U. picked up many endorsements from the wider society, but in terms of major support, both financial and in muscle on the street, was it enough to have pushed the strike even further? Palacio said he is reasonably satisfied by what the Union collected during its eleven days on strike. However, he said that […]
On Friday, the Belize National Teachers’ Union had declared that its strike action would go into a third week. It insisted that this was because the critical labour issues, including the proposed deferral of a three percent salary adjustment, were not being addressed to time by Government and Prime Minister Dean Barrow. The Prime Minister […]
The Belize National Teachers’ Union will continue its industrial action into a third week, possibly matching the length of the 2005 strike called after then-Prime Minister Said Musa introduced tough economic measures. This time the issues are broader, encompassing both labour and good governance. At a press conference this afternoon in Belize City, B.N.T.U. president […]
During the meeting between the B.N.T.U. and the PM on Thursday, President Luke Palacio says that there was agreement that the presidents of the B.N.T.U., the Association of the Public Service Senior Managers and the Public Service Union would meet with the Prime Minister on Monday afternoon. According to B.N.T.U., PM Barrow has now backtracked […]
The Prime Minister met until into the evening with the B.N.T.U. on Thursday. When he emerged from that meeting he told the media that there was agreement on many of the eight demands of the union. The salary adjustment, Social Security coverage for incidents happening away from work and pension coverage for support staff and […]
For the first time since the strike began, there appears to be a division established in the solid eight-point agenda of the B.N.T.U. – nine, if the salary adjustment on which they are jointly negotiating with the Public Service Union and Association of Public Service Senior Managers is included. Today, former General Secretary George Frazer […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Bill is among a few demands that the trade unions, including the B.N.T.U., have with the business community. It is the final point on a list of demands put together by teachers. That item was removed from the agenda during Thursday’s discussion as it was agreed that B.N.T.U. will address […]
Speaking after the PM’s press conference much later in the evening on Thursday, B.N.T.U. president described the meeting as even more difficult than the previous. The eight points presented to government have not been addressed and fulfilled in their entirety but there is a willingness to return to the negotiating table. B.N.T.U. President Luke Palacio […]
Earlier today, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry advised its members that it is yet to receive a formal response to a letter written to the Prime Minister on their positions taken in respect of a shutdown of businesses countrywide and their withdrawal from the senate select committee. When he was asked about support […]
U.D.P. Minister and party whip Michael Finnegan, together with Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton, held a press conference this afternoon at the party’s headquarters, shortly after the B.N.T.U. concluded a media briefing of its own this afternoon. Finnegan and Panton are appealing to teachers to return to their classrooms, since according to them, during Thursday’s […]
Panton and Finnegan maintain that good governance is an inclusive process which should see equal responsibility from each of the social partners. They have since turned to the teachers to ask them what more do they want from government. Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Albert “I cannot understand how reasonably, when all these conditions have […]
It’s been officially two weeks since students have not been in the classrooms. Today, a News Five crew took to the streets to poll residents on whether government should give in to all the demands made by the teachers. Here’s what they had to say. Resident # 1 “Like I have mentioned to friends, […]
As the Prime Minister Barrow and the unions negotiated for hours inside the Biltmore, outside the hotel, teachers were out in support waiting for any word of progress. In those tense moments, the teachers weighed in as to the way forward. Teacher “Tomorrow would be a good day to go back in so that […]
Before the meeting with the Prime Minister got underway at Biltmore, the Minister of Education, Patrick Faber was cautiously optimistic about the outcome. While he did not disclose specific details, Faber says the Ministry is putting in place measures to deal with lost time and classes. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education “Well, we are […]
On Wednesday, we reported to you about the arson at the home of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Patrick Faber. But early this morning, the vehicle of Otilio Muñoz, B.N.T.U. Orange Walk Branch President, was vandalized, presumably as a form of intimidation for his strong stance on the strike. Today, we asked Orange […]
There will be no industrial action on the part of the Public Service Union. Beginning last week, the P.S.U. held consultations with its branch members countrywide. The Union’s executive sought its members’ opinions on whether they would support the B.N.T.U. in its ongoing strike action. There was also an update to the negotiations with the […]
The B.N.T.U. has just concluded its meeting; a number of issues were decided upon. But first we can report tonight that the strike continues on Friday and the union will determine on a daily basis for how long the industrial action will proceed. Our News Five crew is just back in studios, following an interview […]
