Tuesday, January, 29, 2013 - that's the day that teachers have set to lead a mass demonstration in Belmopan which could lead to a national teachers' strike. That's the word coming out of a Belize District Special General Meeting which was held this afternoon at the Holy Redeemer Parrish Hall. The meeting was convened to discuss a demand for a pay raise, which government has rejected. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour of a mass demonstration and a sustained strike.
The Belize District Branch President was guarded in her remarks - stressing that is only the position of one branch - and the votes of branches countrywide have to be collated at the National Executive level:
Jules Vasquez
"What is the outcome of the Belize District branch?"
Kathleen E.B. Flowers, BNTU Belize District President
"We promise we won't be holding interviews. The only thing I can say to you is that our membership is willing to participate in the actions that the BNTU is planning. At this point those actions I cannot say will be real or not because I don't know what the results of the other branches are."
Jules Vasquez
"We are told the proposed actions include a strike or a protest on the 29th in which teachers will not be at school."
Kathleen E.B. Flowers, BNTU Belize District President
"Alright you have begun an interview which I don't wish to participate in - we will talk about it after the national president has given the national results."
Jules Vasquez
"How soon will that be?"
Kathleen E.B. Flowers, BNTU Belize District President
"Monday, because by Thursday they should be having a press conference."
Reporter
"Salaries for the teacher will be a part of this?"
Kathleen E.B. Flowers, BNTU Belize District President
"That's the premise of today's meeting to deal with teachers concerns about salary increase and adjustments but the outcome will come when we all meet together and will be determine at the council table."
The vote for the Belize District was as follows: first, on whether the Belize district branch should participate in a demonstration on January 29th: 511 voted yes, one, no - with some abstentions.
They were also asked to vote on whether they'd be willing to participate if it comes down to a sustained strike: 488 said yes, 13 said no.
So that's where it stands tonight. By Monday all the branches should have voted and the final tally will be known. But, with Belize District, the largest, voting so overwhelmingly in favour of a demonstration and strike - it's a virtual certainty that the other districts will vote along that line - leading certainly to a mass demonstration, and likely to a strike.
We say likely, because Government has been apprised of their position - and has also taken a hardline, that there's simply no money to pay for an increment at this time.
That will make for interesting weeks ahead and we'll keep following it closely.
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