PSU President Says GOB Needs to Make Advancement with the Signing of CBA for BNTU

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) continues to express frustration at the government’s approach to finalizing the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The CBA signing has been in limbo for the past fourteen years, passing through both the Musa and Barrow administrations and yet to come to fruition. The BNTU is also discontent that there have been no effort from the Briceño Administration regarding Proposal Twenty-Two which seeks to have GOB pay one hundred percent of the salaries of teachers who are employed at grant-aided secondary schools. President of the PSU, Dean Flowers, is calling for this government to move forward with these proposals.

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union: “What – and not that it doesn’t matter – but what’s important is that we must move forward. There is reason why the windshield is much bigger than the rear view mirror. If you keep looking in that rear view mirror you’re gonna crash. The fact that the last administration did not do what they were supposed to do where the CBA is concerned, did not govern in an above average manner, in a manner that ensured accountability, transparency and in a manner that eliminated corruption. We know they probably trumped the Musa administration where corruption is concerned and that’s my personal opinion that is yet for people to debate on but I speak my mind when I speak and I try to be as fair as possible. But if it is that we will continue look backwards we’ll never be able to resolve these issues. Now let me state this, the Prime Minister also said to us the Barrow administration failed to uphold several of the laws including the fiscal accountability and responsibility regulations, he said that on December 20th, and he said because they didn’t do it then why would we want him to do it ? And our position is this, you are now the government. You are now in a position to do the right thing, you’re now in a position to build a legacy that the people can be proud of so do not bring that House of Representative talk when you’re speaking to the unions. Bring maturity. Leave that “When you were in Government.” nonsense where it belongs, in that House not across the table.”