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Loop News 2 hrs ago
PSU members protest for higher salaries on Tuesday
BELMOPAN, Belize, Jun 11, CMC – The Public Service Union (PSU)says it has rejected the latest government wage offer to its members and has officially declared a trade dispute under the Essential Services Act.
“It is not our intention to create any damage to this society, any harm to any citizen, any harm to any government property, but what we will do, we’ll stand for justice,” said PSU president, Dean Flowers.
As a result of the declaration, the Minister of Labour has 21 days to review the case and decide if it’s valid.
The Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT) is seeking an 8.5 percent salary adjustment for public officers, teachers, and pensioners and an additional increase in the minimum wage for public sector workers from five to six dollars (One Belize dollar=US$0.49 cents).
The John Briceno government, however, maintains that this is not an achievable request to meet in this fiscal year, and the PSU has said that it is not accepting the government’s latest offer of “ two small salary increases spread out over three years”.
On Tuesday, the union staged a peaceful protest after the PSU said 94 percent of its members last weekend voted to reject the government’s pay offer and 92 percent backed the declaration of a trade dispute.
“We’re not here to bring down any government. We’re not here to push any political card. We’re here to defend livelihoods and dignity and pensions,” said Flowers.
The PSU said that it’s time for the government to go back to the drawing board and restart talks with the JNTU.
Flowers said that on June 5, this year, the government wrote to the JNTU outlining its position on the minimum wage in the public service.
“And subjecting a four percent salary increase to contributor pension. Subsequently, we also serve further notice that if an amicable solution is not arrived at or before the expiration of 21 days, the union hereby notifies you of our intention to strike based on the trade dispute with the government of Belize.”
Flowers said that this is a cause members are willing to die for but remains hopeful that a resolution can be made in good faith for the benefit of Belizeans.
Meanwhile, Flowers is dismissing suggestions by Police Commissioner, Dr Richard Rosado, that he may be linked to an ongoing investigation at the Belize Customs Department after more than 100 pounds of marijuana were discovered in early April, hidden among packages shipped from the United States.
“I didn’t see any such report. And so, I do not wish to comment on something that I’m not aware of,” Flowers said, adding “I can say to you, the investigating officers, it would be prudent for them to properly brief the commissioner and for the commissioner to give a press conference to express to this nation where they are with that.
“But I will say this, my brother, I’ve walked a straight road, especially when I took up this leadership, and I will not allow anybody to try to show low blows, shade on my character, I will not allow it,” he added.
