Public Service Union President Comments on BNTU’s Ruth Shoman’s Resignation

President of the Public Service Union also spoke on the resignation of former President of the Belize National Teachers Union, Ruth Shoman.  Dean Flowers was asked to comment on the entire saga, a task he was hesitant to undertake.

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union: “Where the issue of the new leadership of the BNTU is concerned and where the resignation of Sister Shoman is concerned, the PSU really and truly does not weigh in on those kinds of matters, to be honest with you. I think that the BNTU is an autonomous institution, Sister Ruth again in her right as president, given that she values her union she felt it best to step down. We look forward to working with Brother Jorge and to continue the work of the joint unions as long as we continue to be a joint union team we will continue to work with the BNTU and to put our best foot forward in ensuring that as joint unions we get the best possible results for our general membership. Unfortunately, and sad to see Sister Ruth goes, but this is the nature of this business and she’s not alone. The attacks that she has endured every leader in every union have seen those attacks come at them. I understand the nature of your query but what I’m saying is where the leadership of that organization is concerned those questions are for its members and I think that we have seen how that play out. Of course, from where I sit of course we’re all desirous of seeing leaders with good characters and without these dark clouds hanging over their heads. When there was an attempt to paint me black and evil as the past administration and the current administration tried to, I stood up to that. I said, look, I have no problem. Let’s have a conversation. Let’s look at the evidence. So the one thing with me I don’t run away. I can only speak for myself but if you would want to know about what should or should not be the qualities of the respective organization’s leadership I think it’s a conversation to be had with the members of that organization.”

Shoman was elected to succeed Senator Elena Smith in April 2023. She resigned on May 8, and then retracted two days later.  She submitted her second resignation at the end of August.