By Khaila Gentle
BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 27, 2022
The turmoil at St Francis Xavier Credit Union (SFXCU), the second largest credit union in the country, continues this month after the dismissal of two branch managers. According to a circular from the credit union’s board of directors dated June 22, Caye Caulker branch manager Rafael Dominguez, Jr., and San Pedro branch manager Lina Garcia were both terminated “as a result of the violation of the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union Ltd. code of ethics and the Misuse of Confidential Information.”
The allegation being made against the two former branch managers is that they obtained and dispersed confidential information pertaining to members publicly via fake accounts. The letter regarding their dismissal bears the signatures of all the credit union’s board members, including its president, Roy Smith.
In response, a group of persons who refer to themselves as the “Ad Hoc Committee for Change” and who claim to represent members of the credit union issued a press release on Friday, condemning the dismissal of the two managers.
“Both Ms. Lina Garcia, San Pedro Branch Manager and Mr. Rafael Dominguez Jr, Caye Caulker Branch Manager, received their letters of discharge as employees of the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union,” the press release states.
Over a month ago, over a dozen members of the credit union protested what they believed was the wrongful termination of Rafael Dominguez, Sr., the credit union’s former general manager. Those members are now condemning the termination of Garcia and Dominguez, Jr., both relatives of the former GM, claiming that it is a personal attack against the senior Dominguez and his team.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the credit union was held on Sunday, June 26. The Committee for Change in their press release stated that the former general manager is “prepared to take back the reigns” at the meeting and that members are in full support of him.
“The present Board of Directors continue to carry out intimidation and manipulation over all departments and staff of the Credit Union, with vile, threatening approach of subjugation,” stated the release.
When the media caught up with him at the AGM, Dominguez, Sr. expressed confidence in the fact that the members of the credit union are in support of him. He also expressed his hopes that at the credit union board elections taking place later this year, the members will be able to see the changes in the credit union administration that they have been demanding.
Earlier in the year, the board of directors had issued a letter to Dominguez, Sr. informing him that his five-year contract, which was set to expire in April, would not be renewed. The decision, however, has been opposed by the members of the credit union who believe that Dominguez adequately fulfilled his duties while serving as general manager.