Talks Underway to Resolve Western Dairies’ Alleged Wrongful Dismissals

Dangriga Mayor Robert Mariano confirmed ongoing talks to resolve the dismissal of four Garifuna women from Western Dairies. Mariano confirmed he’s been in direct contact with the women and the company’s management.

“I had communication with them the day when the incident occurred. And we also had a public consultation as well, and they were a part of it,” he said.

As previously reported, the employees said they were abruptly dismissed with a vague letter that provided no reason for their termination. They claimed that after more than a year on the job, they had received no warnings or disciplinary action, even though company rules required those steps before dismissal.

Western Dairies maintained that the process had been lawful.

Mariano said that after a few attempts to get in contact with the company’s management, they were able to meet last Wednesday.

“The decision, before anything can be made, must be discussed with the other members because we have a team from different stakeholders here in Dangriga, and so we’ll be coming together to discuss what was discussed with the management of the company,” Mariano explained. “And so we will be making a decision then. It is not something that I’ll be making on my own.”