Stevedores Return to Work; Wait for Meeting Monday with PM  

Stevedores who have since last Friday been showing up to work but not working today returned to the Port of Belize compound and got into work full throttle in anticipation of a meeting between their union, the Christian Workers’ Union and Prime Minister John Briceño. This morning, the dock workers showed up to the compound but stood outside instead, demanding that the PM meet with their union representatives today to discuss their compensation package for the loss of wages they suffered when the government decided to send bulk sugar to the Big Creek Port instead of the P.B.L. port. That meeting with the PM wasn’t forthcoming today, but Deputy Prime Minister, Cordel Hyde sat in with the C.W.U. President, Leonora Flowers over the lunch hour and by mid-afternoon, they had realized what she later told the media was a breakthrough. News Five’s Marion Ali was out in the grueling sun from morning to get the different sides and filed this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Stevedores assembled in front of their Port of Belize workplace, but while they were not working, they did not call their action a strike. That is because in order for them to declare a strike, they would have had to give PBL a twenty-one day notice of strike action. Earlier in the morning, the police removed a bicycle that belonged to one of the stevedores from in front of the gate where it was parked and it created a moment of unease. But the matter was quickly diffused. The stevedores were outside their workplace insisting that the Prime Minister meet with them today. Their union President, Leonora Flowers explained why they had assembled in front of the compound.

 

Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers’ Union

“The gentlemen have come out because there has been some talk of the Port sending out stevedores to work or sending the BDF or the police, so the gang members are not too pleased with that information. So we’re out there. But, more than all, we’re trying to say to the government, look, it is time for us to get back around the table. Provide what you’re going to provide so we can accept, so we can move on. We’ve also gotten an offer Informal or unofficially that the prime minister will meet with us on Monday No, we are saying to the prime minister and his government Monday is way too long if this is really important if it is as important to the country as you say it is Monday is way too long.”

 

The stevedores want to return to the table with the Prime Minister to discuss an initial figure of four point nine million dollars as compensation for their loss of wages when bulk sugar started to be shipped to the Big Creek Port for export instead of the Port of Belize Limited.

 

Leonora Flowers

“I won’t put a figure on it until we discuss then, because they wanted to put a figure on it, but tied to other things. We don’t want it tied to anything else. Don’t tie it to the CBA. Don’t negotiate the CBA through the sugar money. Please don’t do that to us. That is what we have rejected.”

 

Port of Belize C.E.O., Arturo Vasquez called the media into the compound to explain their side of the dispute.

 

Arturo Vasquez, C.E.O., Port of Belize Limited

“Mr. Middleton in particular came and he asked us that he wants to work in good faith today. He told us that we didn’t ask for it. He said we will work in good faith  and in return. He has agreed with the prime Minister that they, that he will meet on Monday with him.  I was not aware of that. So I actually called the prime minister on the phone and on that telephone call, Mr. Middleton and the Prime Minister agreed that they will work today in good faith. And in return, he will meet with them on Monday.  That’s where we were. We were prepared to come back to work, walks in the president. And she says that was never the agreement. And that’s where everything fall apart here, guys.”

 

Vasquez said there are significant losses involved with at least a couple ships turning back.

 

Arturo Vasquez

“Since Friday we have been having this problem where no boats have been worked on. We have been trying to solve this problem with the CWU. We have written them emails on Friday, on Saturday, and yesterday. We have never had a response to it. The email is basically asking the CWU to tell us what their position is as to whether it’s a position by the CWU or it’s a position by the current gang. We never got a response.”

 

But during the lunch hour, Flowers met with Deputy Prime Minister, Cordel Hyde and returned with news to the stevedores this afternoon that they accepted.

 

Leonora Flowers

“Not happy as yet but pleased to report that there’s been a breakthrough. We return to work the ship at six this evening. The gang is going in this evening and then we have accepted that the PM meets with us on Monday morning.”

 

Marion Ali

“What’s the breakthrough?”

 

Leonora Flowers

“The breakthrough is that we were able to have a discussion with the deputy prime minister and he impressed upon the team and the stevedores that let’s say, Let’s give peace a chance. Let’s we bend over back a little bit more and he will try and work with us.”

 

Marion Ali

“What assurances were given? The stevedores left saying they’re returning to work. He must have said something that they agreed with.

 

Leonora Flowers

“No, I won’t disclose anything else. I wouldn’t say that he did. He didn’t go overboard. He indicated that he’s willing, he’s going to try his very best to get the stevedores what is rightfully theirs and what we have been trying to get for a while. That’s as much as I can say.”

 

The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams was also on the ground to ensure that the peace was being kept while the stevedores made their displeasure known.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I just came to get a briefing from…Mr Grinage, who I have tasked to be on the ground since yesterday as well as to get an appreciation of what is taking place on the ground. The police are just here to ensure that law and order is maintained. We don’t ascribe to a confrontational style of policing, but we do understand that the port has a responsibility to the Belizean people, and there are people who are depending on their cargo to come out of the port.”

 

Those cargo ships are now being offloaded while others are being prepared with export goods. Marion Ali for News Five.