A Sea of Protest: Teachers and Public Officers March on Belmopan

Belmopan was awash in green and yellow today as thousands of teachers and public officers took to the streets in a powerful show of unity and frustration. An estimated three thousand, five hundred demonstrators rallied against the Briceño administration, marking the launch of phase one of the Belize National Teachers Union’s three-phase protest plan. At the heart of their demands? A call for an eight-point-five percent salary increase—one of five key issues the union is pressing. The protest was sparked by the government’s recent decision to raise the salaries of Chief Executive Officers and the Cabinet Secretary at the start of its second term, a move that didn’t sit well with many in the public sector. Despite a last-minute invitation from the government to meet at the negotiation table on May 13th, the union pressed forward. The message from the streets was loud and clear: they’re ready to fight for what they believe is fair. Paul Lopez was on the ground and brought us the full story in tonight’s newscast.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The streets of Belmopan were packed this morning as thousands of demonstrators marched to send a strong message to the Briceno administration: public officers are fed up and ready to be heard. Leading the charge were members of the Belize National Teachers Union, joined by the Public Service Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers. At the front of the crowd was BNTU President Nadia Caliz, who didn’t hold back. In a fiery interview on the ground, Caliz called out Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, Dian Maheia, and school managers, accusing them of turning a blind eye to teachers’ struggles. At the heart of the protest is a demand for an 8.5% salary increase—just one of five key issues the union is pushing. With chants, signs, and a sea of green shirts, today’s demonstration made one thing clear: the fight for fair compensation is far from over.

 

Nadia Caliz, President, B.N.T.U.

“If this was up to ministry of education, you already know what will happen, because she is talking already. What I need her to do is to take out of whatever millions there and fix the issues in education, the real issues and lets start getting after these managers abusing the teachers, let’s get after these managers that are not fixing these classrooms. Let us confront the elephant in the room. Because what you all do, this is why I am fired up, some of these management are not doing their job as management and the side with managements and condone the bullshit and that is why you see them running to management, because I cover your dirt and you cover my dirt, but the BNTU will not be silenced. That is the kind of bullshit and we will talk about it, because you will solve it.”

 

A warning couldn’t stop the wave of green that swept through Belmopan today. Ahead of the demonstration, teachers from Catholic public schools were reminded that skipping class to protest could cost them a day’s pay. But that didn’t stop them. According to Caliz, over three thousand, five hundred demonstrators showed up anyway—loud, united, and undeterred. Their message to the Briceno administration rang out clearly: respect, fairness, and better pay are non-negotiable.

 

PSU Member 1

“We want government to ensure they respect the union, and certainly we want our reward as well and if they don’t there will be resilience.”

 

BNTU Member 1

“No money for me, means no money for you. No money for me, means no money for you. We value teachers. We matter.”

 

BNTU Member 2

“The CEOs say they deserve it, CEOs we deserve it too. CEO we do more so deserve it too. PM, don’t be arrogant we deserve our salary adjustment, listen to us, listen to us, everybody here.”

 

As government officials gathered for the ceremonial opening of parliament at the Sir Edney Cain Building, a different kind of gathering was unfolding just outside. Thousands of demonstrators, led by the Belize National Teachers Union, marched around the entire Belmopan Ring Road—making sure their presence was felt, even if they couldn’t get close. Security barriers kept the crowd at a distance, blocking them from reaching the very leaders their chants and signs were aimed at.

 

Nadia Caliz

“They are not worried about that, just hearing the BNTU speaks volumes, just seeing the BNTU speaks volumes, we don’t have to be before them for the see us. They know what we are capable of.”

 

Just as the demonstration was looping back to its starting point, a buzz rippled through the crowd: the government’s ceremonial event was wrapping up, and officials were making their exit. Without missing a beat, a group of determined teachers picked up the pace. Leading the charge, they found a back entrance to the Sir Edney Cain Building’s compound—just in time to cross paths with Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde. Hyde, who is part of the government’s negotiating team set to meet with union leaders on May thirteenth, was met face-to-face by the very educators demanding change. It was an unplanned but powerful moment—one that underscored just how serious these demonstrators are about being seen and heard.

 

BTNU Member 3

“Let me tell you something, for me in the PUP you are one of the best and I expect you to fight for us. I watch how you speak with love for our country, please listen to our cries.”

 

Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister

“We will meet on Tuesday and that negotiation will take place in earnest. We usually have very serious discussions but in a cordial respectful and insightful way and I expect the same to take place when we get together on Tuesday.”

 

But President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers, is not so optimistic about that March thirteenth meeting. According to the union representative, without a clear agenda on the table, any upcoming discussions with the government could unravel in minutes. “You can’t negotiate in the dark,” he warned, stressing the need for structure and transparency ahead of the May thirteenth meeting.

 

Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U.

“To be honest with you, the only thing that can be expected is that the meeting last ten minutes, because I don’t know what it is that we are going there to talk about. Similar to the prime minister, the only meeting he would have convened without the union, they showed up without an agenda. How can we prepare, how can I know what to expect.”

 

Today’s demonstration also saw the presence of NTUCB Senator Glenfield Dennison.

 

Glenfield Dennison, NTUCB Senator

“These are not crying for money, these people are crying for money, they are crying because they want to live comfortable doing the job they chose to do.”

 

Spokesperson for the Maya Leaders Alliance, Christina Coc.

 

Christina Coc, Spokesperson, MLA/TAA

“The teachers are calling for a dignified life, the right to a dignified life, that is not different than what the alcaldes have always been calling for.”

 

And, Christian Workers Union President, Leonarda Flowers.

 

Leonora Flowers, President, C.W.U.

“The government cannot continue to do what they want to do. The last aggression they did was increase salaries to the CEOs.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez