Teachers Threaten Strike: 21-Day Countdown Begins

The clock is ticking. Teachers across Belize have officially put the Briceño administration on notice, they’re prepared to strike within twenty-one days if ongoing negotiations with the government fall apart. The warning comes from the Belize National Teachers Union, which has been in talks with the government over unresolved issues. Speaking on Open Your Eyes this morning, B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz emphasized that the notice is a legal requirement before any industrial action can take place.

 

Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union

“I have to notify government and managements of our intent to engage in a strike action. We have to start the whole thing with the twenty-one days. That’s something that I have to do. I have to. I’ve been given a mandate so I have to do that starting today. While that is in process, we are negotiating. If the demands of the membership are met then there’s no need for us to engage in all of that. Now level two determines their response to our counter, so it’s not jumping straight into level two because, like I said, we have started to negotiate. They have not heard our counter, so why should we go to level two? And that is what my membership needs to understand.”