wheel and come again

The disagreement between the teachers of Belize and the government seems far from being settled and might yet reach the point of confrontation. The Prime Minster thought he had worked his magic when he was able to win over union leaders with a cake, a song and an empty promise but we have not yet seen the last of this charade. The presentation of the cake was quite a symbol of irony for it seemed that what the Prime Minister was actually saying, was to take this to them and "let them eat cake".

While the union leaders fell goo goo gah gah over the Prime Minister's charm and serenade, the teachers are demanding more substance. The cost of living has been rocketing to the skies while the teacher's salaries stay mired in the mud. Since 2005, these pillars of our society have received no cost of living adjustment and when the government changed in 2008, the unions initiated a new negotiation. Every year since then has been the same cry, but while no "money deh" for salaries, money is found to pay gang members, splurge during election time and afford ministers and cronies some very high living.

The teachers have been far from receptive to the empty promise of "if" brought back to them by their union leaders. IF we have a surplus, IF the economy grows, if we don't have a national disaster, IF, IF,, IF�.it has been said that "IF is the word in the middle of life, that can burden the soul and bring much strife".

Those union leaders will be sent back to the Prime Minister, who has already made it clear that he will not bend an inch. The teachers themselves are an immovable object and at some point, something will have to give. Mr. Barrow continues to repeat that "he simply cannot afford it". Problem is that the United Democratic Party is preparing to hold a massive convention this coming week. This will take millions of dollars and while it is important for the UDP to rent a large crowd, the teachers believe that it is more important for them to get their raise.

The teachers' big mistake might have been to send in their delegate along with others too friendly with the government. While there is strength in numbers, if everyone is not committed to cause, it will always put you at a disadvantage. The teachers' representative was joined by the president of National Trade Congress of Belize (NTUCB) leaders of the Public Service Union (PSU), and leaders of Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM).

This might not have been a good idea and maybe the teachers should have decided instead to fly solo. First of all, Dylan Reneau of the NTUCB has long been compromised. Members of the APSSM make many times more than the teachers do and are not as desperate for a raise and the public servants are too easily intimidated; their union is not nearly as strong as the BNTU. The teachers then had only one voice in four and were easily outvoted and overruled. The only hope for the teachers would have been Jose Castellanos, president of the APSSM. He had been very vocal and had stood by the teachers all along. What really happened with Castellanos might always remain a mystery but at the last hour, he was removed and replaced by George Myvette, not nearly the committed and passionate warrior that Castellanos was.

I believe also, that the teachers might have dropped the ball when they abandoned the call for a review of government spending. This was the point that Castellanos was driving home, which might explain why he had to be moved. The Prime Minister's explanation was lame. If he was to go off medically, why would that stop him from advising the unions? Unless he was at risk of losing his benefits or was going to be forced to continue working with whatever ailment he suffers. Whatever the threat, it was grave enough cause Castellanos to back off.

Castellanos suggested that there were lots of ways in which the government could save money. As an economist, he was willing to put it on paper and show them all. This is something that would benefit not only teachers but the entire public at large. It is high time to cut back on unnecessary government spending.

Member for Cayo South, Honorable Julius Espat has been fighting since taking office for a functional Public Accounts Committee. That committee would be able to put pressure on the Accountant General to produce comprehensive accounts of government spending. The Accountant General has said however, that there is nothing that she can do because she is not being given the necessary information with which to form an opinion. This is truly sad and alarming and yet, nobody seems to be concerned. The teachers have an excellent opportunity now, to not only demand their increase but to also demand proper accounting from the government. They have the numbers and the influence to do so.

This is not something that we should be calling for from only from the UDP but from any government that comes into office. To their credit, the PUP is saying, "Let us put these measures in place, even if it affects us when we come to office". How can we just give these people our money to spend and not demand accountability? Espat should be commended. Not only will a working Public Accounts Committee hold this government to task but his government also whenever time they assume office.

We need a functioning Accountant General, Public Accounts Committee and Integrity Committee. The information must be made available for all these committees to function. Normally we get promises of these things at election time and then never hear of them again until next election. The Prime Minister also promised during elections that we would have an Unlawful Enrichment Act. We are still waiting.

These are the things that the teachers should demand which would get wide public support. If they go to the Prime Minister with only their own personal request then they will continually be labeled selfish and with no social conscience. Let us once and for all put in place the measures that will hold these ministers accountable. They have been running loose too long!

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G. Michael Reid
Citizen of the world