The situation tonight is that the long standoff between the unions and the government remains. Schools countrywide were closed again today for a record 12th day and water outages continue, while the Public Service Union membership continues to be on strike. The Trade Union Congress has still not accepted yesterday's Shoman/Barnett proposals from government. But despite the Trade Union Congress's decision to sit out on it, the Teachers' Union has formally accepted those proposals.
Still with the majority of the unions dissenting, their memberships took to the streets of Belize City with a mass protest. I was there and found out that even in a time of division, there are many common sentiments shared by the unionists.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
The demonstrators gathered in the Yarborough Area and left off with the usual flair and choice slogans directed at the Musa administration. And while they made their way to Central American Boulevard there were those waiting in the sidelines armed with placards ready to join in. There was representation from every union in the NTUCB including from the CWU some who chose to ride the route. By the time the demonstration had reached Douglas Jones Street, the numbers had swollen to about 3,000 making the view spectacular with everyone armed with placards and Belizean flags. For union leaders the show was massive and the message to the government is clear.
Dylan Reneau, PSU President
"I think the message should be that Mr. Musa needs to listen to the people, look at this parade and see that the people are still speaking and will continue to speak. The mandate is being told to him by the people. He has to listen to the people if he believes in democracy. I think the people are asking for a new mandate."
Zenaida Moya, APSSM
"The massive crowd that is in the parade, I am not surprised. The things that they are trying to do to try shut us up and they were trying to contain this rally, this demonstration. With all they were trying to do in getting the agreement signed quickly, I thought less people would be out here but clearly it is a massive crowd. We the people understand he has to stick to that mandate, he has to try and show a strong front, but I believe he knows in his heart and otherwise that he cannot contain that."
Paul Perriot, BCWU President
"The main cry from the people is that this is for Belize. This is not to do with we only the unions, this is the people of Belize. What I am doing right now is calling all the people from the side to come out and support this thing. The pressure is on, I know the pressure is on him because he wouldn't have sent his negotiators to try negotiating what he has been vehemently against so far. The pressure is on and I know he is trying to get to the unions, because the unions are who are organizing this whole event; the pressure is on."
But while the pressure is definitely on, one of the unions applying most of it, the BNTU., seems to be fragmenting. Yesterday's decision to vote on government's proposals without first taking it to the membership ended with the rank and file being upset. Teachers we spoke with today from Belize and Orange Walk again expressed resentment.
Teacher #1,
"The membership of the BNTU, I am not from the BNTU but all teachers were called out and we went to SCRS and we stayed there until about 1 and then we moved on to the school with the President of the BNTU and he was really, the membership just chastised him really strongly and then we are on a strike still in Orange Walk. They told him he has to come back and tell his people in Belize that he did a mistake."
Teacher #2,
"They didn't like the idea that this is a severe matter and the other representatives of the union didn't go back to their members and check with them to see what their vote would be on. The Belize City branch from prior to everything decided that they would go back to their members and their members voted that we are not down with what gone on."
Teacher #3,
"We are very much discouraged and de-motivated by the decision BNTU made."
Teacher #4,
"It is believed that the President of the different branches should have taken those issues to their members for voting or for them to decide on it. But instead they took it upon themselves, voted on it without their members consent. I would believe that this is not right and it should have been a democratic process because there are protocols to be followed and the protocols should have been that the Presidents take the decision, or the issues, to their members and vote on it and then come back to the council and give their resolution. But instead, they took it on themselves and voted."
Teacher #5,
"I think the Orange Walk people were totally frustrated and they did expect his vote because they expected the union to go back and then to get their opinion so they could pass a valid vote. The teachers gathered last night and they decided to call an urgent meeting so that they can plan their move forward since the general membership should have been consulted before a vote was taken."
And since that was not done the whiplash is being felt throughout the entire union membership. The woman now being looked at for integrity was today surrounded by supporters who simply did not wish for her to speak.
Alfonso Noble,
Elena last night all eyes were on you and your…
[Teacher blocking camera and saying no comment]
Elena Smith, BNTU Belize District Branch President
"Look at our members and you can see their decision."
And while that decision is being awaited today it took a backburner to the massive demonstration which showed that while BNTU may be fragmenting other members of the NTUCB are still in full control of its decisions and membership.
