Joint BNTU/PSU release raps GOB over proposed salary increases
Posted: 07/01/2008 - 11:01 PM
Author: - press release -
The Joint Leaderships and governing Councils of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) and the Public Service Union (PSU) of Belize, view with much concern Government’s (GOB) recent press release dated 4th January, 2008 on some actions and decisions made at its Cabinet Meeting held on Thursday, 3rd January, 2008. Our unions are especially concerned at the unilateral decisions by Cabinet to approve salary increases to teachers, nurses, policemen and public officers and to make some changes in benefits, anomalies and conditions of employment in some sectors of the public service, without first meeting and discussing same with our unions, as are the proper and normal ways of dealing with these matters.
We consider these actions by Cabinet as being grossly disrespectful, irresponsible, politically-motivated (with general elections being so near), tantamount to UNION-BUSTING and an ACT OF BAD FAITH.
On January 30, 2006 both union presidents had written to the Prime Minister, Hon. Said Musa, requesting to meet to discuss and work out an agreement (with five possible options) to compensate our public officers, teachers, nurses, BDF, policemen and others affected by the 1-year (July, 2005 – June, 2006) INCREMENT FREEZE imposed on us by GOB.
We met once with the Prime Minister and his team on the matter, and despite further requests and efforts, nothing further was done. Our unions recently wrote him again, requesting to meet on the same matter and to further inform him of our desire to meet to discuss a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including salary increases and a benefits package.
We must also point out that Article 6 of the last Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), signed on the 26th February, 2003 on the “Position Classification Exercise,” to improve efficiency and productivity in the public service, is yet to be fully implemented; despite the hard work, recommendations and reports handed in to GOB by the two “Joint GOB/Unions Working Committees.”
The BNTU and PSU also question Cabinet’s/GOB sincerity and motives for inviting Commonwealth monitors to come to observe/witness our upcoming general elections when we are not in a politically unstable crisis-period; or without the courtesy of consulting with, or discussing such a need with other political parties and the social partners. Historically, such considerations and requests would more normally come from Opposition parties and civil society organizations, where there are signs of possible irregularities and fraud in the election process.
- press release -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|