BELMOPAN, Wed. Mar. 17, 2021– In early March, the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) released an action plan after receiving a letter from the Government of Belize in which they proposed salary cuts and an increment freeze for three years. This proposal came in the wake of budget consultations with the unions that had been aimed at finding ways to cut government expenditure. The teachers have flatly rejected the idea of a salary cut, and have since begun to put their plan of action into effect, as this year’s Budget reading, scheduled for March 26, 2021, draws near. On Tuesday, March 23, the union staged a countrywide motorcade, which was the first planned activity in their show of force to the Briceño administration.

During an interview, the BNTU’s National President, Elena Smith said that just a portion of the union’s entire membership were able to participate in the motorcade, with over 90 vehicles lining the streets in an expression of protest in Belize City alone. Smith, in explaining the message they intend to get across through these public expressions of dissent, said, “The first message is that we are not satisfied and we are not willing to accept a 10% salary cut. The reason that we are saying so is that we are aware that there are other things that can be done to help this Government in achieving its goal.”

In line with their belief that there are alternative ways for government to achieve fiscal balance, the unions had submitted a counter-proposal to the Government that outlines other measures that could be put in place in lieu of the intended salary cuts. According to the Joint Union Negotiation Team, cost-saving proposals were put forward to the Government during negotiations. These proposals were reviewed by Cabinet on Tuesday as well.

Prime Minister Briceño has gone on record in presenting an ultimatum to the unions, who can choose between an acceptance of the salary cuts or a reduction in the number of public officers — in other words, retrenchment.

Smith said that the BNTU is slowly putting into place its strategic plan of action as the negotiation with GOB drags on. The union is expected to also hold a countrywide candlelight vigil as a part of their protest activities.

Smith said that they will await a reply from the Government to the Joint Union Negotiation Team before making the proposals that the team presented, public. Prime Minister Briceño also has refrained from commenting until the end of the negotiations.