Association of Public Service Senior Managers says no to 10 percent salary cut

By Benjamin Flowers: The Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM), a member of the joint union negotiating team (JUNT), is joining its sister unions in publicly condemning the 10 percent salary cut being implemented by the Government of Belize (GOB).

While the majority of public statements and actions have come from the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and Public Service Union (PSU), the APSSM explained that it would not overstep its role in the JUNT to speak for all public officers, but it has been consistent in its position that is not prepared to accept the 10 percent salary reduction unless the government implements the recommended good governance reforms and legislation.

” The APSSM did submit/ indicate that if the Government insisted on adjusting public officers and teachers’ salaries that consideration should be given to exempting those officers and teachers earning less than or equal $12,000,” the APSSM said. “In reference to the increment freeze, the APSSM did not agree to relinquish two years of increments. The agreement was for an additional year.”

The Association also said that it had agreed to prolong the 25 percent reduction in entertainment allowance provided to Heads of Department and Senior Managers as administered since May 1st of 2020.

In a letter sent to the JUNT dated April 22, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform Henry Charles Usher explained that the wage reduction was “absolutely necessary” as government needs to borrow almost $1 million a day to meet expenditures including salaries, which is unsustainable. As such, the salary cuts will proceed, taking into account the union’s concerns.

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