PSU President Expresses Solidarity with BSCFA

With the court ruling against an association, the question came up on whether this is precedence that could be applied to unions or organized protests.  Love News spoke with PSU President Dean Flowers, who weighed in on the matter. While acknowledging that unions are protected under the law, Flowers expressed solidarity with the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the caneros, who have recently faced legal and financial consequences over protest actions.

Dean Flowers, President, PSU: “I guess that’s a  question that each union would have to consider separately. We work for the Government of Belize and unlike BSCFA we’re registered under the Trade Union  Recognition and Registration Act. As a public sector union we will continue to do what we must do to defend our rights and our dignity. And it is for the government to determine whether they are prepared to suffer the consequences of that if it is that they will come after public sector workers. We are with the cañeros and whenever the cañeros decide to block ASR/BSI as a union leader I will be there again to block. So we have to understand that in this day and age workers have to fight fort their dignity and I want to express my solidarity with the BSCFA and the government is on the hook. The made the pledge, they have to pay it. They have go pay it.”

The ruling in the lawsuit was handed down by High Court Judge, Rajiv Goonetilleke