Turner Slams BTL’s ‘Unprofessional’ Claim That Negotiations Are Over

The Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) says its fight with Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) over severance payments is far from finished, despite claims that negotiations have ended.

“If they believe that because they came on a press conference and acted unprofessionally to tell us that negotiations was finished… that we will take that like that’s it? No, it’s not,” aid organiser Emily Turner.

Turner explained that severance had been completely off the table for dozens of former workers until the union pushed to reopen talks. “The door had shut on them,” she said. “We brought back the severance on the table. We brought back the interest on the table.”

She argued that the difference between what BTL is offering and what workers are owed is staggering.

Using one example, Turner explained that a former employee who should receive about seven thousand dollars in interest would receive only about one hundred and fifty-eight dollars if he accepted BTL’s current offer.

Turner also criticised the millions spent on legal battles instead of settling with workers. “BTL paid upwards of 20 million dollars to fight workers… Why would you want to spend that amount of money instead of settling this debt with us?” she asked.

The group plans to protest outside the National Assembly next Tuesday, when legislators meet.

“BTL is not the ultimate decision-maker in all of this. I was happy to hear that the prime minister had come out and say that the board was prepared to give three percent,” she said.