G.O.B. – MARK MY WORDS: YOU FIGHT – YOU LOSE, GUARANTEED!

I have been toying with the idea of writing a piece with reference to unions ever since the change of government in February 2008.  Of course my hesitation rested in the fact that I do not want to put myself out there as some specialist in the trade union movement in Belize.  It did occur to me; however, that one of the pitfalls of governments in a pre and post independent Belize has been how best to relate to trade unions, once the power pendulum shifts in favour of political aspirants.  I had hoped that the experience of being in opposition for such a protracted period together with the people’s desire for a better way of doing business, would have tempered all sides as they engage, seeking to resolve conflict in the interest of everyone.  I am always mindful that it could be said that it is precisely because of these facts that the UDP government has chosen to carryout consultations.  In which case I would say don’t bother to read on.  Before you go though, allow me to say to you that the calls and public statements by the leadership of both BNTU and PSU for positive inclusion and respect are not to be ignored or taken lightly; there should be no doubt that workers’ memories remain sharp. Things just do not pass over.

In this vein the entire nation of Belize awaits the findings of the investigations into the unfortunate incident at the Tower Hill Factory in Orange Walk Town that resulted in the death of a unionist.  It is the job of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize in the main and by extension every trade union organization in Belize to continually register its condemnation of this event and demand that it should never again happen in this country of ours.  The NTUCB should renew its call for a transparent investigation and the release of the findings of such an investigation.  NTUCB should further require that full disclosure of the process used in the investigation be released within a definite timeline.  Be very mindful that every time a union asks its member to protest, that spectacle of a possibility exists that extreme force will be used and unions need to give the assurance that such an incident will never happen again or will not be tolerated.  BNTU, PSU and the other members of the NTUCB should urge the redress of this issue.  I will advance my arguments for trade unions demanding a place as equal partners at the development table by recounting a brief history of the movement in Belize.

There could be absolutely no doubt, in the minds of any Belizean rooted in knowledge of things Belizean, of the importance of the role the trade union movement played in the history of this beautiful jewel of ours.  We cannot fail to give cognizance of the relevance of Antonio Soberanis Gómez or the Labourers and Unemployed Association (LUA) he founded in 1934.  Antonio Soberanis In 1943 legally registered the British Honduras Workers and Tradesmen’s Union as a trade union. The British Honduras Workers and Tradesmen’s Union would change its name to the General Workers’ Union (GWU).  The era of the modern labour movement therefore predates political parties in Belize and certainly was instrumental in the rise of the Peoples United Party (PUP) in 1950. It is instructive to recall that history relates that in the late 1940’s the GWU’s provided accommodation to the People’s Committee (forerunner of the PUP) and in so doing lost their political capital and control to the PUP.

This cooperation benefitted the PUP’s in that they were able to gather strength from the Union’s credibility with the workers all across this country and the utilization of the Union structures to their benefit and development. On the other hand the leaders of the Union acquiesced and the leadership was effectively passed to the political party which in an effort to widen its  appeal to Belizean departed from the Union’s so-called socialist ideology.  As unionists we are aware that the GWU as a result of this collusion lost what was significant political clout and thereafter their role in the anti-colonial movement waned.  This decline in influence and membership was exacerbated by the emergence of the Christian Workers’ Union, a rival Union to the GWU and sympathizers of the PUP in addition to the PUP’s reduction of the need for reliance on the GWU partnership, as they say the rest is history.  By the mid 1950’s the PUP had its own countrywide organization and therefore needed no reliance or support from other organizations.

But which student of the history of the Belize trade union movement could forget that it was by the amalgamation of the Southern Christian Union and the Belize General Development Workers’ Union that the United General Workers Union (UGWU) was formed in the late 1970’s (1979).   Along with the emergence of the UGWU a new breed of union activist rose to prominence on the Belizean landscape   and it was clear that they aimed to regain labour’s independent political voice.  Their presence was felt loud and clear but of course any such attempt to regain a political voice would from a political standpoint reek.  History tells us that the UGWU came under severe criticism for its ideology from unions, political parties, politicians, and from its own branch in Corozal who formed a new union contested and won UGWU for bargaining rights for sugar workers.   These pressures were among what eventually lead to the waning of the UGWU political influence.

History will also reveal that at that time the Public Service Union of Belize (PSU) had significant sympathy/ties to the United Democratic Party.  These sympathies held, for the most part, over these many years.  Suffice to say that this author makes the point that the vigor of the UGWU to regain a political voice still resonates and perhaps causes politicians on ascending power to curtail the Unions’ possibility of reclaiming this voice and with it a true role as equal partners in Belize’s development process.  There are many political leaders who were in the fray of things during this era and they remember.  For the record the PM of Belize in 1983 entered electoral politics as a candidate for the Belize City Council elections. This was of course on the heels of the massive Union led protest over the infamous Heads of Agreement in 1981.  There can be absolutely no doubt of the awesome force for change that a truly united workers movement possesses.  The National Trade Union Congress of Belize needs to understand that it is only by reclaiming its’ political voice will any respect flow.  It can be seen from this brief look at the history of the Belize trade union movement that no political force can stop unions that are acting in solidarity.  That our greatest weakness lies in surrendering our people’s support and political voice in the hope that it will allow for a place at the table as equals.  This will never happen as long as we will approach the table as beggars; if before we engage we will be subjected to tactics reserved for bullies and if we will cower under the treats of our own.  The UDP who just a little over two years ago were courting us with humility and who but for our support would not have gained the mandate to work for us; now finds difficulty in simply treating us as equals to the extent provided by their oath to the nation and under the provisions of the Constitution of Belize.  Simply to respect the fact that if the people of Belize could think before elections, why is it that once elected politicians become the only ones with brains and mouth, which may not always be coordinated.

Mark my words: a fight with the Unions for any reason always ends one way, that’s just the way it is and always will be.  The trade union movement of Belize has roots and many persons who have gone through its classrooms doors.  Teachers are no ‘paidagogos ‘and if you doubt their resolve you will pay the price.  Unions were here before you, they may take abuse but I guarantee that they will be here long after we are gone.  There is no way in which the calls of the union should be taken lightly.  There should be absolutely no way that anyone, not PM not the Minister of Education not the minister of housing, no political parties should feel that the discourse of the Union should be discounted.

The president of the Public Service Union Mrs. Jackie Willoughby-Sanchez said in a recent interview with Love FM that “Government is government. They are always going to sensitize and highlight the politics. They highlighted the issue of the salary increase so as to hide the disrespectful way in which they have been treating the unions… We say they are disrespectful. Come to the table… “.

Mr. Panti, president of the BNTU on Love FM morning show February 24, 2010 indicated and called out the UDP Minister of Education for what he refers to as Minister Faber’s insulting and degrading words in reference to teachers at the House of Representatives meeting of February 19, 2010.  ‘It boils down to disrespect’ said Mr. Panti.  He however revealed that there was a meeting of the Joint Staff Relations Council on February 22, 2010.  This is commendable but Mr. Panti further stated that this engagement must be base on respect… ‘If the minister of education wants to be respected he must show respect’.  The Government is playing games said Mr. George Frazier, Executive Secretary of the BNTU.

I say again MARK MY WORDS: YOU FIGHT YOU LOSE, GUARANTEED! You can’t see this now, you will later.  You have been served a public notice.  I opine it is in the interest of political parties to review their commitment to the workers of Belize and their Unions and that this review be premise on the history of this great movement and as equal partners in Belize’s development process.

Godwin Bernard Sutherland I. P. Eng, Q.S.

Former PSU President (2 terms UDP & PUP)

| | | | | |