BCWU Claps Back at BCWJ

The Belize Communications Workers Union is responding to statements made by the Belize Communications Workers for Justice over the severance dispute with Belize Telemedia Limited. The union says it has been actively engaged since the November fifth ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice, which affirmed that severance payments were owed. The union says it responded to BCWJ shortly after the judgement, confirming it was working to ensure BTL complied with the decision and protected workers’ rights. It notes that between November and December it held consultations with BTL to align internal agreements with the CCJ ruling and, along with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, raised concerns about tax treatment on severance payments. BCWU also says it invited BCWJ to collaborate at the negotiating table following that group’s January press conference but claims BCWJ chose to proceed independently with protest actions. After holding an emergency membership meeting, BCWU says its members voted not to formally join the protests without a mandate, though individuals were free to show personal support outside of work hours. The union adds that continued discussions with BTL resulted in confirmation on February seventeenth that the company would proceed with settling outstanding severance payments, describing the outcome as the result of constructive engagement and due process.

 

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