Jul 19, 2021
St. Ignatius VP is First to Challenge G.O.B. Salary Cut in Court
The Belize National Teachers’ Union is fighting a legal battle against G.O.B.’s ten percent salary cut, and Vice Principal for the Saint Ignatius School in Belize City, Mario Rodriquez, has come forward as a nominal claimant in the case. The claim is that the Government of Belize has no legal authority to intervene in the private agreement made between a teacher and the managing authority, in this case the Catholic Schools. A favorable ruling has the potential to set precedents that could affect all teachers in a similar position. The first hearing was held this morning virtually, where the government was represented by attorney Iliana Swift. The Catholic public schools were represented by attorneys Samira Pott and Melissa Baldaramos-Mahler. Attorney Darrell Bradley gave us further details about the claim.
Regional Organization Asks PM Briceño to Reconsider Teacher Pay Cuts channel5belize.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from channel5belize.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Gerald Henry
“I certainly feel that way. I am certainly proud of all the members that came out, all the unions that came out, to fight for what they deserve. We are not fighting for something we want, it is what we deserve. We have always continued working. We have not stopped working. In fact, we have been working overtime and not getting paid overtime. So for the government to want to come and cut the ten percent it is really unfair. And so I guess this is what is shows out here that it is not only myself, but when I speak, I speak on behalf of my membership.”
The Guardian Newspaper is reliably informed that the leadership of the Belize National Teacher’s Union may be softening up its position of the, ‘no salary cut’ which they have been pressing for over the past few days. The teachers went on strike on April 26th and have maintained that position by taking to Belmopan and protesting during the budget debates at the National Assembly and the Senate. They have actively been demonstrating in the streets of the various municipalities. They were at it on Tuesday, May 4 when again they were in the streets of Belize City. This time they were joined by the Public Service Union which has now also joined in strike action against the Government.
As of Monday, April 26th, the Belize National Teacher’s Union has engaged in strike action in protest of the Government of Belize’s decision to cut their salaries. They will be joined by the Public Service Union who will commence their action on May 3. The PSU had given their 21-day notice for industrial action on April 12 and that notice expires on May 3.
The BNTU has prefaced their strike action with demonstrations at the National Assembly on Thursday and Friday of last week during the budget debate. Earlier last week they took to public places carrying placards displaying their discontent with the salary cut. On Monday they ramped up their actions by demonstrating across the country in parades at the various municipalities. This was followed by more demonstrations at the National Assembly when the Senate met to discuss the budget.