BELMOPAN, Mon. June 26, 2023

On Saturday, June 24, the Public Service Union (PSU) held its 101st National Annual General Meeting in Corozal, where Dean Flowers, who was uncontested, was re-elected as PSU president and other members of the national executive which will lead the union for the next two years were selected by the union’s members.

Among the members of the newly elected PSU national executive are Phillip Tate, who was elected to the post of 2nd Vice President (and was uncontested), and Berisford Codd, Jr., who will serve as Assistant Treasurer. Also elected to the national executive were Trisha Perez, who will serve as General Secretary; Marika Zuniga, who will be the union’s counselor, and Perla Coba, who will serve as a trustee.

We understand from a reliable source within the union that only 107 voters – of an eligible 2300 — cast votes at this year’s AGM. That source suggested that this significantly low number reflects a disconnection with the union base.

Flowers, in an interview last week, mentioned that the passing of an amended constitution would also be on the agenda at this year’s AGM. This did not go through, since, we are informed, that process can only be undertaken at a Special AGM. The union has set June 28, this Wednesday, as the tentative date on which that Special AGM will be held to hopefully pass the updated constitution.

On Friday night at the opening ceremony of the AGM, Flowers in his speech shared, “We need to recognize that individual public officers are in an unequal power relationship with our employer. The reality is that each public officer needs their monthly salary more than government needs the specific person’s skills or labor. But when public officers organize themselves and bargain collectively, the balance of power starts to shift.”

We will continue to follow the union’s activity to confirm if the amended constitution is passed this week.