The unions were back on the steps of the National Assembly today, but unlike the ripples we saw yesterday, today a tsunami of green and yellow washed over Independence Plaza. They brought out their drums and their signs singing, "We will not be moved."
And while they made themselves heard to the representatives inside, the budget debate continued and are still ongoing up to this moment.
And though the debate will be winding down later tonight, the unions are just getting started for a long war to protect their wages. Courtney Menzies was on the ground again today and has this story.
Day two of the union protests had more combustion and more of a crowd, as yellow and green coalesced to make formidable frontline.
Their drumming and singing pierced the still Belmopan morning air, bringing that rumble of resistance to the usually staid Independence Plaza, with their signs were hoisted defiantly above their heads.
But unlike those anarchic days in 2005 when the protests turned alarmingly violent, this one remained peaceful and, for the most part, cheerful.
Even BNTU's president, Elena Smith, danced on the National Assembly steps.
But despite the festive air, the unions remained unyielding in their anti-corruption message - And Smith said this is only the beginning.
Elena Smith, President, BNTU
"Our teachers have been waited for this day for a while. They were excited to be here and they're finally here and they're just showing that excitement in the midst of the message we are sending across."
Courtney Menzies:
"And that message is? Remind us again."
Elena Smith, President, BNTU
"Well, as we said before, we continue to fight for good governance, no to corruption, any of those things that could put our country in a worse off position, our teachers are standing up against that."
"We believe that our message is always heard, you know, it's whether those persons who are hearing with be honest to say they've heard the message. But we know the message is being heard."
"This will go for as long as the government decide that they will hold their hard and fast position."
And yellow shirts in the crowd signified that the PSU is also standing strong in the face of a government determined to cut their pay.
Courtney Menzies:
"Day 2 of the protests, what's it like?"
Dean Flowers, First Vice President, PSU
"Well as you can see Courtney, the atmosphere is a beautiful one, it's a peaceful atmosphere, it's an atmosphere that promotes good governance and we're happy to be out here, we're very proud of this moment, this is history defining moment, this is the beginning of a resistance that will be maintained until this government does what it has to do, which is to deliver on its good governance promsies to ensure that we do not get a repeat of the Musa administration and that we certainly do not get a repeat of the Barrow administration."
But, like yesterday, they still needed to be mindful of COVID restrictions.
Gerald Henry, President, PSU
"I can't even express the amount of energy that we're feeling, I have not had breakfast as yet but I feel as though I ate a three course meal."
Courtney Menzies:
"You guys have much more numbers out here today than you had yesterday."
Gerald Henry, President, PSU
"Certainly, what happened we were trying to be socially responsible and not have as many persons out here but today what happened is that the teachers joined us as well and that added to our numbers and we have some of our bigger branches that came out today because what we did was to split the branch from yesterday and today, so we had four branches yesterday but those were our smaller branches but today we have our bigger branches that came out."
Corlan Galvez, President, BNTU Belmopan Branch
"It's basically just one bus from each branch, so we still do not have our majority out here, because of the COVID rules so it's still only one bus from each branch."
"It's time that our government stop abuse the poor people, you have so many people out there who owe a lot of taxes, land tax and all kind of taxes, but every time a government comes in, the first people they target are the people who struggle, and that is not right because the people who struggle does not benefit from all of their wastage."
And while the unions are fighting for good governance, the NTUCB president is a little more ambitious.
Luke Martinez, President, NTUCB
"What we saw here yesterday and what we are seeing here today is nation building, this is the nation building that some of our past leaders dream of. It's nation building that is happening. The unions are saying that enough is enough and we need to ensure that the good governance can materialize, and we are not going to be moved form that position."
"We could repeat history and this could be the birth of a second third party. When the People's United Party, they were formed upon a labor movement, and so we are seeing that developing here."
The BNTU will strike on Monday with a walkout from schools - both literally for those that have returned to classes and figuratively for those teaching online.
The PSU has yet to reveal what their strike action will look like.
The University of Belize's Faculty and Staff Union was also out there in support of the other unions.
A release from the Belize Medical and Dental Association also notes that 50% of their members that took part in a survey are from the public sector and, according to the results of that survey, 58% of that set are against the salary cuts and 55% reject the increment freeze.
Additionally, the release says the health sector is also underpaid, undermined, and has limited resources, so they will not agree with any budget that affects the livelihoods of health workers - especially those on the frontlines of the pandemic.
