CWU and Port of Belize Finally Reach Collective Bargaining Agreement

After years of disputes, stalled talks and industrial action, the Port of Belize may finally be turning a corner. The Christian Workers Union says it has secured a long-awaited collective bargaining agreement for stevedores and is now pushing to seal a similar deal for port staff. Union leaders say a fresh approach to negotiations, coupled with a change in the port’s leadership, has helped break the deadlock. Could this mark the beginning of a new chapter in labor relations at the port?

 

Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers Union

“You all know that we have had a terrible time with the Port of Belize over the last three or four presidents at the CWU. Well, today I can report that we have sent the stevedores CBA to the Labor Department for their review. So that means we have come to an agreement, a workable agreement for and on behalf of our stevedores members. And pretty soon we will be forwarding just, I think, like, two more conditions remain to conclude for the staff at the Port of Belize, the staff inside. This afternoon we’ll be having another meeting, and hopefully in that meeting we’ll be concluding. So the Labor Commissioner hopefully will soon get that as well.”

 

Shane Williams

“Has the change in leadership been – has that played a role?”

 

Leonora Flowers

“Yes, the change in leadership has played a very big role for the stevedores’, members. There was actually an offer of increase in their rates, an increase in the containers. So, and the stevedores were able to come to an agreement with that. There was a compromise. It was acceptable, and they said yes. So that’s what moved that ahead.”

 

Ella Waight, President, National Trade Union Congress of Belize

“And very quickly as well, right?”

 

Leonora Flowers

Very quickly.

 

Ella Waight

“So social dialogue works when you have the right persons around the table.”

 

The Board of Port of Belize Limited appointed Ian Courtenay as Executive Chairman in October, following the resignation of longtime CEO Arturo “Tux” Vasquez. Vasquez served fourteen years at the helm. He first served as a bank appointed receiver for 12 years, then stayed on as CEO for two years after the Government of Belize acquired the port.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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