National Trade Union Congress of Belize

is a National Federation of Trade Unions and shall work
with national, regional and international organizations whose aims and objectives conform with
the principles and policies of the NTUCB.

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) is a Federation or Association of
Trade Unions registered and operating within the country of Belize who subscribe to the
principles and philosophy of free and democratic forms of unionism and government.

The NTUCB was first formed and organized on Monday July 11, 1966 at a meeting held at
Riverside Hall in Belize City. At that time, three unions – the Public Officers’ Union (POU)
now PSU headed by President Edney Cain, the British Honduras Union of Teachers (BHUT)
(then only non-Catholic teachers, now BNTU) headed by the then President Alvan Cadle
and the General Workers’ Development Union (GWDU) – Belize Branch President Steve
Longsworth signed the documents giving birth and legality to the NTUCB.

Since then to the present, the NTUCB has grown to incorporate twelve (12) affiliated trade unions along with one (1) honorary member in Belize. These are:

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  1. APSSM – Association of Public Service Senior Managers
  2. BCWU – Belize Communication Workers Union
  3. BEWU – Belize Energy Workers Union
  4. BNTU – Belize National Teachers Union
  5. BPTU – Belize Progressive Teachers Union
  6. BWSWU – Belize Water Services Workers Union
  7. BWU – Belize Workers Union
  8. CWU – Christian Workers Union
  9. KHMHAWU – Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union
  10. NSUB – National Student Union of Belize (honorary member)
  11. PSU- Public Service Union of Belize
  12. SWU – Southern Workers Union
  13. UBFSU – University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union

What is a Trade Union?

A Trade Union is a continuing, permanent democratic organization, voluntarily created and
run by the workers to protect themselves at their work, to improve the conditions of their
work though collective bargaining, to seek to better the conditions of their lives and to
provide an effective means of expression for the workers’ views on problems of society.

The Three Important Principles of Trade Unionism

The first is unity or solidarity.

The organizational objective of any union is 100 percent
membership. The higher the proportion of unionized workers to non-unionized workers,
the greater the strength of the organization.

The second important principle of trade unionism is independence.

If the organization is
to serve the needs of its members, it must be controlled by the members themselves.

The third important principle is democracy.

Democracy is an essential pillar of trade
unions. Trade unions are voluntary organisations. Such organisations cannot be strong and
effective unless members participate actively and deeply in the activities and struggles.
Participation is only possible if the organisation is a democratic one.

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Democratic methods mean that:

1. All sections of the membership are fully and fairly represented in the decision-
making process;
2. Members have priority right to be educated about the union’s rules and constitution
so that they can participate fully in the union’s decision-making process;
3. All members have the same rights and privileges as well as duties and obligations;
4. Representatives, executive officers and others should be elected by secret ballot
periodically by and from among the members and be answerable to them. They
should be subject to recall if the majority of the membership is not satisfied with
their actions. Never should they be appointed by one person only;
5. Activities should be communicated to all members and subject to periodic review by
the members.

Why have Trade Unions?

Workers have learned that if they act alone, they cannot achieve anything in terms of protecting themselves from the harmful acts of employers (such as arbitrary dismissal) or in securing better working conditions or in seeking the passage of laws protecting workers.

Workers as individuals soon find themselves utterly powerless and at the employer’s mercy. The prospect of termination from work hangs over them perpetually.

The workers’ situation is one of complete dependence on their wage or salary, which means their job. But the job can be given or taken away at the whim of the employer. The worker, therefore, becomes completely dependent on the employer’s goodwill. This means the worker is not a free person. He or she has to serve the employer or starve.

But in unity, workers are no longer powerless. Through a strong union, workers can meet the employers as equals. They can recover their dignity as workers who, after all, are persons who exchange their labour for an honest living. They no longer feel weak or utterly dependent on their employers’ goodwill. Furthermore, they regain some control over their lives and the condition of their lives. No longer will they have to accept what the employer dishes out; they can propose ideas, demand decent terms of work, and negotiate with employers over these. They now are able to have direct influence over the lives they lead.

Structure of the NTUCB

The NTUCB’s highest authority is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) made up of accredited
delegates from its affiliated unions based on proportional representation according to their
reported financial member.

The General Council is the second highest authority and meets once every month or as the need
arises. The National Executive is made up of the officers elected from delegates attending the
Annual General Meeting which is usually held in December.

The Administrative Secretary who was recently seconded by the Government of Belize oversees
the day-to-day operation of the affairs of the NTUCB. The Administrative Secretary reports to
the President and General Council through the General Secretary.

The aims and objectives of the NTUCB shall be:

2.1

To promote and encourage unity among trade unions whilst recognising the autonomy, of member organisations.

2.2

To facilitate the establishment of information and communication networks for and among members and associates with the use of appropriate technology.

2.3

To represent members at the level of the Caribbean Congress of Labour ITUC, International Labour Organization and other specialised agencies and institutions whose activities affect the social, economic and cultural conditions of workers.

2.4

To promote, support and enhance the growth and strengthening of all member unions while recognizing and respecting their autonomy.

2.5

To defend and promote the human, economic, social and cultural rights of workers including the promotion of gender equality and youth development.

2.6

To actively pursue the organization of all workers in Belize who are eligible for membership to its member organizations or new organization.

2.7

To recommend policies to Government for the improvement of the governance, economic, social, educational and cultural conditions of all workers in Belize.

2.8

To be the vanguard against injustice to workers and to discourage every form of discrimination and anti-union practice which would destroy or subjugate the existence of the free and democratic trade union movement in Belize.

2.9

To agitate for the timely implementation of International Labour Organization conventions, recommendations and resolutions which have a bearing on the well-being of workers in Belize.

2.10

To aid in the establishment, maintenance and development of Trade Union organizations and associations where economic, social and legal conditions impede the progress of the Trade Union Movement.

2.11

To pursue and facilitate Education, Training and Research for the benefit, development, and growth of Trade Unionism in Belize.

2.12

To be involved and to participate in all and any activities including but not limited to forum, discussions, debates, protest and other activities that relate to issues of national importance.