And while we were at the event...we got to ask the BNTU President about other subjects in the news...
Last Friday we told you that the US Embassy in Belmopan confirmed that BNTU president Ruth Shoman was never a State Department Employee. They made the clarification after Shoman reportedly told the Union Executive that she had been employed as a trainer. Without that credential, she would be ineligible for her current post because that would mean she's not an "in service" or retired teacher.
Today, we asked Shoman about the matter, but she refrained from commenting much. However, she called the reports "gossip."
Ruth Shoman, President, BNTU
"I don't know where this US State Department story came about but I have no comment and the only thing I can say is that seemingly from the media, any gossip that's whispered, the media goes with it and takes it as gospel, I'm not going to comment on gossip and BNTU is a private organization and I address it with those who I need to address it with, so it's up to you if you want to continue propagating gossip, that's up to you but I have no comments."
Courtney Menzies:
"Has your job been - you've just become president - but has it been a little more difficult than usual seeing as though it seems that people from inside the union are trying to attack you?"
Ruth Shoman, President, BNTU
"I won't use the word people, because I can say that I have a Council that supports, and I don't want to make it "supports Ruth Shoman," because the office of the president is not about a person, the office of the president is one that should be always respected based on the principals that it carries and the council knows what I'm bringing to the table and the goals that I have explained to them and we're working together, we have started a number of projects so all these things that are going there around is painting a different picture because I haven't been to the media, I said on Election Day I'll come to the media when I need to, our business is our business and the work is happening so I don't know where you're getting that work is not happening. And with every new posts, there are challenges, there's that transition period but we're moving forward and we are doing what we ought to do, not only me, but as a team, because from day one I've always said, this is not me, as a matter of fact, the power of the union comes from the Council and we have a magnificent Council and we're working towards what is beneficial for our members."
Courtney Menzies:
"But have they asked you to present any sort of papers..."
Ruth Shoman, President, BNTU
"Like I said, I won't make any comment, that's our business and the gossip that's going around, I'm not going to entertain it."
