Stevedores Announce Industrial Action Against Government

The Christian Workers Union (CWU) has officially informed the Government of Belize that it plans to take industrial action against the Port of Belize Limited in twenty-one days due to ongoing labor disputes. In a letter to Minister of Labor, Oscar Requena, CWU President Leonora Flowers emphasized that the stevedores need a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with fair and mutually beneficial terms. Today, President Leonora Flowers shared more details.

 

Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers Union

“We’ve  only just given the minister notice that we intend to do the twenty-one days to possible strike action. That’s what’s afforded us, under the law. And so it’s now, with the ministry that they can summon a tribunal. In fact, they have asked the National Trade Union Congress of Belize to put forward someone for the tribunal. And we believe they, very shortly, they will tell us that the tribunal has been enacted. And we will follow through on that.”

 

Britney Gordon

“What exactly are they calling for?”

 

Leonora Flowers

“Who’s calling for it?”

 

Britney Gordon

“The stevedores, what exactly are the concerns that they’re having this time around?”

 

Leonora Flowers

“The concern that we have is that we’ve not been able to reach any significant growth in arranging an increase for the stevedores. No financials have been considered except to say we’re giving, we’re offering three more on meals, twelve to fifteen, and thirty cents per, on a dollar per year. for the annual salary. So we believe that’s very small, and with the cost of living now, we’re asking them to increase that and to look at something else.”