Ray Davis, a former NTUCB president and PSU member, has returned to head the NTUCB. They were elected in by-elections held on Saturday, March 5, at the St. John?s Credit Union conference room.

Its former president, Horris Patten, had resigned on November 4, 2005, after failing to secure re-election in the Belize Workers Union, which represents sugar workers in the North. Davis told us today that he was elected in a by-election to serve only until this October, when new elections are slated to be held. Similarly, Reneau?s term would expire, he added.

Over the last year, Reneau emerged as one of the most aggressive union commanders, having been elected president of the Public Service Union, succeeding Margaret Ventura. Reneau is currently on secondment to the PSU office from the Treasury Department.

Davis had served as NTUCB president in the late 1990?s, and he is also known for his engagement in sports, having also worked for the National Sports Council and having served as chairman of the Belmopan Sports Council. He is a retired public officer who has worked in the Lands Department, and the Ministries of the Public Service, Health and Education.

A press release from the NTUCB said that Brother Frazer had stepped down, ?to enable him to concentrate more efforts in strengthening the role of the Belize National Teachers Union.? Frazer is also the administrative secretary of the BNTU.

The NTUCB expressed its heartfelt thanks to both Patten and Frazer for their hard work over the years.

Saturday?s AGM saw the attendance of another vocal trade unionist turned politician, the recently installed Belize City mayor, Zenaida Moya, who delivered the welcome address at the NTUCB?s AGM.

The National Workers Union, a new body representing SEL employees, also attended the meeting.

Guest speaker, Adalbert Tucker, spoke of the challenges of globalization, in concert with the AGM?s theme, ?The Challenges of Globalization and Socio-Economic Changes facing Trade Unions and Civil Society, Locally and Internationally.? He urged members not to ?drop the ball? on last year?s revolution, which he said had advanced efforts towards the liberation promised on the eve of the country?s Independence in 1981.

Davis told us that a major focus of the NTUCB would now be the restructuring and revitalization of the NTUCB, which has been in limbo for several months after a rift within the union?s leadership.

Reneau said that their attention would largely be on the impending national budget, the investigation of the Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and increments for workers.

The DFC investigation is effectively hamstrung by the delayed appointment of a forensic auditor. Commission of Inquiry chairman, David Price, had said he needs the report of the auditor before he begins public hearings.

Price is asking the NTUCB to conclude a revised agreement with Government, updating the February 11 agreement of 2005, in which GOB promised the DFC inquiry, but with a foreign auditor. GOB claims it cannot afford to hire a foreign auditor and both parties have verbally agreed to use a local auditor instead; however, the agreement has to be revised, said Price.