7 News Belize

Teachers’ Strike continues Until (At Least) Wednesday
posted (October 14, 2016)

Last night, we told you about meeting between the Prime Minister and the leadership of the Belize National Teachers Union that went late into the evening. It was their first dialog after 8 days of strike. Even though the Prime Minister made public commitments to concede to a number of their good governance demands, the teachers continued their strike today because many of the Prime Minister’s fixes involved lengthy timelines, instead of immediate changes.

The teachers first intended to strike until on next Monday when they would have held a national demonstration. That would have made it 10 consecutive school days of no classes, but the news is tonight that it has been extended to Wednesday, day 12. The teachers are blaming the Prime Minister for the additional 2 days of strike because, according to them, at the very last minute, he postponed a follow up meeting. That conversation would have been between the BNTU, and the other 2 unions which make up the Joint Union's Negotiating Team. They would have been discussing the deferral of the 3% salary adjustment.

This afternoon, the leadership of the BNTU called an impromptu press briefing to explain to parents why the extension of the strike is not their fault. Here’s what they had to say:

Luke Palacio - National President, BNTU
"If you all will recall, yesterday night you interviewed us and the question was asked, whether the matter of the 3% salary adjustment, the deferral in particular, was addressed with the Prime Minister and we said to you all- Yes. At that meeting, we indicated to the Prime Minister that the three presidents of the Unions: the BNTU, the APSSM and the Public Service Union had agreed to meet with him in Belmopan on Monday afternoon. He gave us that assurance; he even said to us he doesn't have anything pressing for Monday because if he did, then it would be right in his head. And by today now, that has changed because he has just sent us a text that I will ask our Executive Secretary to quickly read to the press.â€￾

Keesha Young - Executive Secretary, BTNU
"The PM had told us at the end of last night's meeting that those meeting notes will be forwarded to us today and that he would make final confirmation of our meeting for Monday. We didn't receive anything and so, this afternoon, we sent to him a message saying 'Good Afternoon PM, kindly take note we at the BNTU have not yet received the meeting notes from yesterday as promised and have not yet received final confirmation of Monday's meeting date you agreed to. Could you be so kind as to address these matters promptly for us? Looking forward to a positive reply; and the PM responded, CEO Wallace is doing a last review of the meeting notes and should get the final version to you shortly. I will be unable to meet on Monday afternoon since it turns out I have a previous commitment. Tuesday is Cabinet, so I wish to suggest Wednesday in Belize City, either morning or afternoon would be good.â€￾

Luke Palacio, National President - BNTU
"From our membership they said to us, we meet on Monday, depending on the outcome of Monday's meeting we determine what happens next. The Prime Minister has decided that he wants to continue kicking this ball down the road, we are prepared to kick it down the road with him until he gets it right."

So, as you heard, the Prime Minister has rescheduled the meeting on the 3% salary adjustment to Wednesday. The BNTU’s national demonstration has been changed from Monday in Belmopan to Wednesday in Belize City.

Later on in the news, we’ll take a look back at yesterday’s late evening press conferences to show you why the stalemate has not been broken.

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