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Minister of Public Service, Henry Usher, has confirmed that there is a current trade dispute between the Public Service Union and the government. The dispute, he says, surrounds the transition of the Belize Tax Services Department (BTSD) into the autonomous body, SARA, and unanswered questions posed by the employees. In an in depth explanation on today’s Morning Show, Minister Usher says the issue between the new Labour Minister Kareem Musa and the PSU may be a matter of difference in interpretation.
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “But in terms of it being an industrial dispute, you know, I leave that for a legal arbiter to decide on that. I think that the union is saying that they’re not getting the answers, so they want to kind of bring some fire. And so I think that that is the reason why they would want to elevate it to an industrial dispute. But remember that the reason they had to give the notice is because these are essential workers. So you don’t just jump into an industrial dispute just like that. You have to have steps taken before it’s done. I am somebody who believes in dialogue, communication. Let’s talk it out, let’s answer those questions. And I’ll be the first to say that we have been a bit delayed in terms of our response to these questions. And I think it’s important that these questions are answered as we move forward. So I think that the only benefit I would see on the other side would be that, you know, it kind of makes it more urgent because you don’t want, especially in this time of year, Christmas time when tax collections are at its highest, you don’t want to have any disruptions in terms of the services being provided. Well, it’s a matter of interpretation. There’s one side saying that there can’t be a dispute because you’re still under the same terms and conditions the public service is going to address.”
Troy Gabb, Host, The Morning Show: There’s no violation yet.
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “Correct. The other side is saying, we might not be there, but it’s going to happen. And we want these questions answered before we get to this point. And so there is a dispute because you can’t move forward until you answer these questions.”
Minister Usher’s comments come on the heels of a story we ran yesterday regarding the PSU’s upset over a letter from Labour Minister Musa who referred to the union’s dispute as an alleged event. For context, we can tell you that on November 5, the union issued a 21-day notice of industrial action to the then Labour Minister, Florencio Marin Jr. and the Labour Commissioner. The 21-days period expires today. The PSU is meeting virtually at this hour.
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