“They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel could turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

“In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold, 
Greater than the might of armies magnified a thousandfold,
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old,
For the union makes us strong.

“In our hands is placed the task of educating our young
We’re expected to do wonders for our future citizens,
We demand a better income and security as well.
Our Union makes us strong.”

· Union Song: Solidarity Forever.

The Belize National Teachers Union and the other unions are gearing up for what could be an uphill battle and a fervent challenge to prevent a proposed salary cut from going through. About a week ago, it was announced that the government is proposing to cut teachers’ and public servants’ salaries by 10% for a period of 3 years, further compounded by an increment freeze to run concurrently during that said period. Well, since the announcement was made, the teachers and public servants clearly stated that they weren’t having it and began to put their operations in gear to defend such a proposition.

Therefore, the unions met with their members to chart the way forward based on the proposed salary cut. The union leaders gauged sentiments across the unions’ membership on the matter, and at the conclusion of these meetings, a clear mandate was given to the union leaders by their members. By and large, the mandate was that they disagreed with the cut for more reasons than one, and their overall sentiment, more so than anything else, was that they are ready and willing to stand together in their usual fashion of ‘Solidarity Forever!’

Consequently, they have organized a series of events to demonstrate and promulgate their disapproval of this proposed cut and to put on record once and for all that they do not plan to accept such a proposal. Teachers across the country have begun to wear their green in support of the union and to simultaneously silently voice their disapproval at the proposed salary cut. On Tuesday, March 16, there will be a motorcade in the city by means of which teachers will protest the salary cut (while adhering to COVID-19 protocol).

Apart from these activities, the union has a number of other actions planned to sustain their efforts in denouncing such a cut. As the union song so aptly states, in their hands is placed a power whose might is greater than armies magnified a thousandfold. The (union) with their might can break their haughty power and bring freedom when they stand together and recognize that the union makes (them) strong.

One can only understand why the teachers are upset at such a proposal. One can understand why the teachers can’t accept this salary cut and will stand up against it. See, the task placed in their hands of educating our young minds is equivalent to nation-building. They are expected to do wonders with our nation’s children and mold them into reputable and productive citizens. They give so much of themselves and get so little in return, and thus as a consequence, it must be understood why they demand a better income and security as well.

If nothing else, time and time again, history has shown us that the unions do make us strong. History has recorded over the years the many times that the unions stood up for this country and reaped benefits for all across this land. Time and time again, they have been tested and tried, but like old faithful, just like that tree that’s been planted by the water, they stood firm in their resolve; rooted and indomitable to show that they will not be moved. And at a time like this, when they are once again being tested and tried, they have once again regrouped and have fallen back on the words of the Union Song, the age-old chorus that has permeated time and space to bring its members together and allow them to stand strong as one as they chant that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Solidarity forever, Solidarity forever

Solidarity forever, for the Union makes us strong

Solidarity forever, Solidarity forever

Solidarity forever, For the Union makes us strong”

Unchained Reflections Of A Liberal Pragmatist.