Teachers Vote to Activate Green Machinery, Industrial Action Set in Motion

More than 2,500 union members voted to move forward with industrial action on Wednesday, according to a Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) announcement statement. “A powerful display of unity, participation, and commitment to democratic principles,” the BNTU added.

BNTU’s national president, Nadia Caliz, confirmed the union will proceed with a three-phase plan. Phase 1 involves a public demonstration, followed by a two-day national shutdown in Phase 2, escalating to a full strike in Phase 3.

The union is demanding a salary adjustment and an immediate increase in the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour. “We are willing to take the appropriate actions to ensure that government meets its obligation to the public sector,” said Coral Lord, Belize District President of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), following a strong turnout at the countrywide vote.

In an interview on Wednesday with the newly appointed Minister of Education (MOE), Oscar Requena, he reaffirmed BNTU and MOE’s “respectful and cordial relationship,” but added that he has not “seen or received any official communications from BNTU.”

Requena acknowledged long-standing issues, particularly around the appointment of teachers, dating back to legislative changes in 2012. “Significant work has been done on this process,” he said, adding that the ministry is actively working to resolve it.

Wednesday’s BNTU countrywide meeting stemmed from recent salary increases for top government officials, including a raise from $76,000 to $96,000 for the Cabinet Secretary and to $88,000 for Chief Executive Officers, a 15.7% increase.

The BNTU was not the only union to respond to the salary increases for the Cabinet Secretary and Chief Executive Officers. In an April 16 statement, the Public Service Union (PSU) condemned the adjustments, describing them as a “grotesque display of self-interest” and “parasitic enrichment.”

With its membership vote concluded and a plan in place, the BNTU is now preparing to move into the first phase of industrial action. The timeline for implementation has not yet been announced.