The Belize National Teachers Union is getting ready to join the wider labor movement in the streets next Tuesday. The union has thrown its support behind the National Trade Union Congress of Belize’s planned peaceful demonstration against the proposed BTL/Speednet acquisition. On Wednesday night, BNTU President Nadia Caliz used social media to rally teachers, announcing that virtual meetings are being organized to explain the union’s next steps and why members should take a stand. Her message was straightforward: if nothing changes, nothing changes.
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“Members, you have spoken to your leaders. You have spoken to me. You have emailed and texted. You have said a lot in the chat groups. Now, this is the opportunity for us to collectively register our discontent as it pertains to all of these national issues, including the proposed acquisition of Smart. In those meetings, you will be educated further, but I want you to know that the BNTU, your organization, who is a part of the NTUCB normally supports the NTUCB when the NTUCB calls on its affiliates to be part of actions like these. I can remember clearly, and it is dejavu right now, 2005. The Belize Health Care Partner issue and everything else start to spiral. It is important that our leaders pay keen attention to what is happening and understand that we are all in power because the people, for me, my membership, for them the electorate of this country, voted them in. So, it is important for them to pay attention to what the electorate is saying. And, by extension you are electorates my members.”
In a memo on Wednesday BNTU informed its stakeholders that its members will be unable to actively participate in any professional development activities planned for that day. But will the protest still occur with a Cabinet’s decision to oppose the acquisition? That is yet to be seen.
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