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While Senator Ashley Rocke was making the ultimately successful motion before the Senate, he was interrupted by Geovannie Brackett, the President of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action and activist Raymond Rivers. Brackett and Rivers pointedly shouted at the embattled Rocke that he was not telling the truth about the origin of his motion and […]
In anticipation of the Rocke motion being passed, C.O.L.A. president Brackett vowed to continue civil agitation alongside the Belize National Teachers’ Union. He called for a national shutdown on Monday at the same time as the teachers hold their strike. Geovannie Brackett, President, COLA “It seems it’s when we behave unreasonable—to use the government […]
After the debate began, it quickly became clear that the social partner Senators – Mark Lizarraga for the business community and Elena Smith for the trade unions and civil society – were not supporting the motion. Of course, the Opposition also weighed in against it. Their primary complaints were that it did not go far […]
Sixty-seven million U.S. dollars – that’s how much money the Government of Belize must find to satisfy the first payment of the Belize Telemedia Limited Arbitration Award handed down on June twenty-eighth. The Government originally made partial payment in Belize dollars, to which Dunkeld International Investments and the B.T.L. Employees’ Trust, the former owners of […]
The discovery of a shift in the ratio of the award may imperil the Government’s stated intent to use a portion of the award for capital projects in Belize with the approval of Dunkeld. But both sides believe the compromise that was originally worked out can still be adhered to. Denys Barrow, Attorney for […]
So, what’s Government’s reaction to this latest decision? This afternoon, G.O.B. issued a statement officially expressing its disappointment in the C.C.J. decision. It points out that, “The overall quantum of the Arbitral Award has not been increased in any wise altered; however G.O.B. now has to pay ten percent more of that award in U.S. […]
The media caught up with the Leader of the Opposition today at a separate P.U.P. event. John Briceño has repeatedly shared his discontent with the B.T.L. settlement and has even called the agreement, “the worst decision by a Government in modern Belizean history.” So following today’s ruling by the CCJ, we sought his reaction. […]
Written on September 29, 2016 | Posted in
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This morning the media received a press release from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize and Belmopan. The release expressed similar views as we saw in the Independence Day prayer delivered by Bishop Christopher Glancy. Sources tell us that this morning’s release came directly from Bishop Dorrick Wright himself. It states that the Roman Catholic […]
According to the release from the Roman Catholic Diocese, with managing authority for Catholic schools, “We believe that the safety of upwards of fifty thousand students in our care will be at risk, without the adequate supervision of our teachers.” But is there division between the church and its management? We ask this because Sister […]
As we have previously reported, the Belize National Teachers’ Union has threatened to take the Government to court over allegations of union busting. The Union has accused the Government of deliberately interfering with union members to prevent or retard various actions including Monday’s planned strike. Just yesterday, two senior members of Government were seen personally […]
The Ministry of Education today said it is putting in place contingency plans in the event of a prolong strike by the Belize National Teachers Union. A statutory instrument will be signed by the Minister of Education to amend the Education Act and Rules with regard to issuing of teachers’ licenses but according to the […]
This evening we reached president of the Belize National Teachers’ Union, Luke Palacio, in Benque Viejo where the Union’s branch there was having its annual general meeting. Firstly, while he is awaiting confirmation of the plans to sign the Statutory Instrument, Palacio told us that if the Ministry goes through with its plans they will […]
Earlier today, Education Minister Patrick Faber had a strong response with regard to questions of union-busting in light of the statutory instrument that will be signed. He insisted that the teachers have turned the course away from a labour dispute over the proposed deferral of salary adjustment to a discussion of national issues and therefore […]
While the contingency plans that we previously reported on are not yet ready, Minister Faber says he hopes that it will not get that drastic. But there is already interest in a roster of replacements. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education “We do have teachers who meet this bill; we do have people who are […]
One of the indelible memories of protests that gripped Belize between January and May of 2005 came on April twenty-eighth, when then first-time area representative and vice-principal of Anglican Cathedral College, Patrick Faber, challenged police in order to enter a public forum being hosted by the then Prime Minister Said Musa at the University of […]
Following a meeting last Thursday PM Barrow said he had asked the B.N.T.U. for another meeting. On Sunday in a statement to the nation, he said the union needs to return to the negotiating table. That statement was followed by a letter to the Joint Unions Negotiating Team this Tuesday. Barrow notes that eleven days […]
B.N.T.U. President Luke Palacio also gave a response to the proposed meeting with the P.M. He explained that the three unions must meet to set a date, but there are complications that will postpone the eventual meeting. He also clarified Tuesday’s statement which seemed to suggest that the Union was backing down on the salary […]
The Belize National Teachers’ Union continues its Stand Up For Belize Campaign in light of the planned strike this coming Monday. Today the union leadership met with the San Ignacio Branch. These are special circumstances and the meetings are doubling as forums for reports from Union president Luke Palacio on the ongoing back-and-forth with the […]
Written on September 28, 2016 | Posted in
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On Monday, Palacio confirmed that the Union was meeting with other trade unions and social partners. One such meeting has already taken place. It was intended to be a rebuttal of Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s statement to the nation and the previous meetings, explained point by point. As Palacio tells us, the Union got a […]
Written on September 28, 2016 | Posted in
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The Belize National Teachers’ Union has argued in its response that Prime Minister Dean Barrow has tried a strategy of “divide and conquer” with the many groups flanking him on issues of national interest. For this reason, Palacio says, the non-Governmental organizations and social partners must remain united and keep the P.M’s charms at bay. […]
Written on September 28, 2016 | Posted in
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In the opening section of his statement to the nation, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was at pains to point out that none of the eight items discussed on the agenda at the September twenty-second meeting at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel dealt the deferral of the three percent salary adjustment owed to teachers and public […]
Written on September 28, 2016 | Posted in
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The Ministry of Education has confirmed that it will be meeting on Wednesday afternoon with the managers of various groups of schools to discuss plans and contingencies for Monday’s strike action by the Belize National Teachers’ Union. The Union’s members are being asked to stay out of school for that one day. While the Union […]
Written on September 28, 2016 | Posted in
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The number of cases of ZIKA is on an upward trend and among the affected persons are six pregnant women. The Ministry of Health held the fourth press conference on zika and dengue today following the outbreak of zika last November. Belize, Cayo and Stann Creek districts have the highest numbers of cases, but in […]
Written on September 28, 2016 | Posted in
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While the ministry has focused primarily on pregnant women and other vulnerable groups, Doctor Marvin Manzanero says there is concern that persons exhibiting the zika symptoms are not seeking medical attention. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services “People are just not going to health facilities. You have to understand that we are not […]
Written on September 28, 2016 | Posted in
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Eleven years ago, in 2005, the Belize National Teachers Union went on a week-long strike joining other organizations in a sustained campaign against government on the economic issues including proposed tax hikes at that time. Tonight, the B.N.T.U. is preparing again for strike action against the government if its eight demands are not met. Eighteen […]
