The mornings of many Belizeans took an unexpected turn after their daily commute was disrupted by a major traffic jam. But it wasn't an ordinary jam - the BNTU staged a protest by parking their cars in the middle of the highways.
This blockage was a part of the industrial action they have planned for the week in response to GOB implementing the salary cuts, as the prime minister announced in his budget presentation a little over a week ago.
And while Friday's protest was picketing in front of BTL and SMART offices, today, the union members faked car failures, delaying commuters heading to work, school, and even to the airport to catch a flight. Courtney Menzies was on the scene at 7 this morning and has this story.
These teachers wearing their green union shirts are trying to fix their van, which appears to have broken down in the middle of the Haulover bridge.
They have caused a long line of traffic to be backed up on the Philip Goldson Highway at the most critical time in the morning - 7am when commuters are travelling to work and students are hoping to get to class on time.
Those in the buses eventually just started walking - having no other way to get to their destination.
Those in private vehicle didn't have that luxury, and just needed to wait - missing appointments and flights at the airport.
But the van's supposed engine failure wasn't coincidental - it was planned - as part of BNTU's series of protests.
Most wore their green shirts, and some held up their Bristol board signs.
But commuters, students, and travelers weren't the only persons held up. In the midst of the chaos, members of the search party for Herwin Godoy, who was suspected to have drown in Grace Bank Village, were unable to cross over the bridge.
But the BNTU members were unrelenting, insisting that the vehicle had some sort of mechanical failure and there was no one to fix it.
The President of the Belize Branch, Tanya Gillett, also played along when we tried to interview her.
Reporter
"This is happening here and on the Western Highway though."
Tanya Gillett
"I guess so."
The blockage lasted for 15 minutes, leaving in its wake the frustration that can only be caused by a delay in one's morning routine.
But this was not just on the Philip Goldson Highway. The BNTU managed to block the George Price Highway at the junction of Chetumal Street and Faber's Road.
The members in other districts came out to block the roads in Carmelita, Dangriga, and also the Joe Taylor Bridge in Toledo.
And BNTU's president, Elena Smith, stood among the chaos to capture the disruption caused by the protest.
And after 15 minutes, the protest ended and traffic was allowed to pass as per normal - after plenty of complaints from those caught in the traffic jam, of course.
But BNTU's message was clear - they are still rejecting the proposed salary cuts by the government.
When we reached out to BNTU president, Elena Smith, she told us that the joint unions were engaged in virtual meetings all afternoon.
Reports are that the protests will continue tomorrow with a boycotting of gas stations.
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