Copyright greaterbelize
BAHA Bites Back at PSU Over Employee Dismissals A dispute between the Public Service Union (PSU) and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) is escalating following the dismissal of two employees and allegations of procedural violations. In a recent statement, PSU President Flowers accused BAHA’s managing director of bypassing disciplinary protocols. “She would have converted herself and her role as managing director to accuser, judge, jury, and executioner,” Flowers said. He claimed that two long-serving employees were “sent home without a penny, putting 15 years of their life into the garbage” and warned that more dismissals may be imminent. BAHA rejected the union’s assertions as “libelous, presumptuous, and in bad faith.” The authority stated it does not comment on individual employment cases to protect privacy but emphasised that it follows the disciplinary procedures outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including notice, the opportunity to respond, and the right to representation. “Corruption, theft, and dereliction of duties are unacceptable,” BAHA stated. “When facts support that gross misconduct has occurred, proportionate disciplinary action is taken.” BAHA also pointed out that the PSU was not involved in the recent disciplinary matters and had not requested information on behalf of any member. They further invited the union to engage through the dispute-resolution mechanisms set out in the CBA.
