All teachers and public servants got their April salaries today but did those who were striking get a pay cut? Well information reaching our newsroom differs but by all indications, many, but not all teachers were docked for one day's absence. We do know that the Financial Secretary sent out a directive earlier this week directing the Treasury Department not to pay teachers and public servants for days missed due to strike action. We also do know that the Catholic School Management was seeking to refund government salary funds after deductions were made. Today, the teachers' union leadership refused to comment on the issue.
And while the teachers have called a halt to their strike, on another industrial front, the Belize Water Services Workers' Union has called off its strike. For the last three days there have been countrywide water outages but no more. Management and the Union had a meeting this morning where it was agreed that water would be restored at noon today. The statement says that no further industrial action is anticipated.
And, back at BTL where it all started two weeks ago most of the 450 employees continue to sit out of work but they sit out because they are locked out. Nontheless full telecommunication services have been restored countrywide even though the company's revenue operations are at a standstill. Talks between the government and the communication workers to take over 37% of the company shares continued yesterday but no resolution was reached. Presumably those talks will continue next week. Government has a proposed memorandum of understanding, but the union has not accepted that.
