Consumers couldn't be happier about electricity rates that are coming down to 35 cents per kilowatt hour in July – the lowest rate in memory. But, that doesn't mean all is well at BEL. Under new government led management, the company has made a turnaround – and is now posting profits, where just five years ago, the balance sheet showed losses. The Belize Energy Workers Union say they too are a part of that prosperity and they have been in labour talks with management since November of last year. But, it seems talks have now broken down – we say that because of a sick out that was staged yesterday. Information to 7News is that there was a sickout on Monday where, countrywide, 60 employees called in sick. Services were not disrupted, though, and, best information says that work resumed as normal today. Neither BEL's management nor the Union would give us any kind of comment, neither confirming nor denying the sickout, and both cited a confidentiality agreement that doesn't allow them to talk about the ongoing labour negotiations.
But 7News has learned that talks have broken down over a proposed salary increase that the union is demanding. Reliable reports tell us that the union is asking for an increase of 12.5% per annum for four years – meaning that at the end of that four year period, their salaries would have increased by 50%. Now, that's fine for an opening proposal and the hurly burly of negotiations normally sees a fraction of that approved. But, it seems that the union doesn't want to back down from this proposal and management won't budge either, saying the company can't afford that kind of raise without increasing electricity rates.
And that impasse is where things stand tonight – with both sides holding their ground on either side of a very thick line.
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