Tag:
Public Service Union
Government
Unions Accept Phased Salary Increase
It has been officially confirmed that Belize’s two major unions, the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and the Public Service Union (PSU), have accepted the Government of Belize’s recent salary adjustment proposal. This deal differs notably from their initial demand. The government’s latest offer includes an 8.5% salary adjustment phased over two years: a 4.5% increase effective October 2025 and an additional 4% in October 2026. Additionally, the proposal reinstates two previously frozen salary increments scheduled for April 2026 and April 2027. This phased approach contrasts with the unions’ original call for an immediate full 8.5% raise without conditions.
Community and Society
Unions Reject GOB’s Offer, Refuse to Accept Less Than Requested
The dispute between the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), the Public Service Union (PSU), the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM), and the Government of Belize (GOB)over the Salary increase has intensified in recent weeks. Industrial action and public demonstrations have escalated, culminating last week with BNTU members taking to the highways, where they reported “mechanical failures” with their vehicles, which were parked to block main roads in Belmopan, Orange Walk, and Belize City during peak hours.
Community and Society
BNTU Stages Demonstration in Belmopan City
Hundreds of union members staged a demonstration in Belmopan on Friday, May 9th, led by the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), alongside the Public Service Union and other allied organizations. The protest marked the first phase of a planned series of industrial actions aimed at pressuring the Government of Belize (GOB) to implement long-standing salary and wage reforms.
Government
Unions threaten a strike in response to salary increases for CEOs and Cabinet Secretary
The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), along with the Public Service Union (PSU) and the workers at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), have expressed strong disapproval over the salary increases granted to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie. This decision has been described as “obscene,” especially as teachers and other public officers continue to wait for overdue pay adjustments.
Community and Society
Government postpones vaccine mandate of essential and public officers
The vaccine mandate against COVID-19 for essential and public officers was to come into effect on December 15, 2021, has been postponed. The decision was made on Wednesday, December 8th, following a meeting that included Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Honourable Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Health Wellness, Honourable Michel Chebat, Public Service Union (PSU) president Dean Flowers, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Rolando Zetina, and the members of the PSU’s Executive Team.
Government
Island teachers hold candlelight vigil in continued protest
As unions across the country continue their strike opposing the 10% salary cut by the government, members of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) in San Pedro Town held a candlelight vigil on Friday, May 7th. The event took place at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The vigil included a church service.
Community and Society
Island teachers hold peaceful protest ahead of next week’s national strike
As the national budget debate begins on Thursday, April 22nd, a nationwide strike is set for Monday, April 26th, as announced by the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU). The union denounces corruption, demanding good governance and rejecting the 10% salary cut and increment freeze proposed by the government. In San Pedro Town, teachers have shown their solidarity protesting on the streets. On Thursday, April 22nd, they again took to the streets to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the present administration.
Community and Society
Unions start week-long series of protests; main roads and highways blocked
The Belize National Teacher’s Union (BTNU), the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (PSU), and the Public Service Union have rejected the government’s proposed 10% salary cut. To further pressure the government, they have planned a week-long series of industrial actions expected to culminate with a massive nationwide strike. The first event took place on Monday, April 19th, as members of the unions blocked main highways leading to Belize City on the mainland.
