The Belize Communication Workers Union sent out a fiery press release last night - blasting the Barrow Administration for the way it has handled the BTL settlement with the Ashcroft Alliance. The release stands out because of its very combative, hyper-accusatory tone - which is not consistent with the Union's other releases. Still, there's no question that it is authentic - because union members picketed today in downtown Belize City. They've also been banging on their office desks at BTL as a form of protest for the past few days. They're upset about a whole bunch of stuff, but, mainly, on being left out of the settlement discussions.
The release starts out with a heavy swipe at Chairman of the Executive Committee, Anwar Barrow. It notes with anger, "Despite meeting with members of the Union...on Monday, 14 Sept. 2015, Anwar Barrow, the prime minister's son and Chairman of the Executive Committee at BTL was not brave enough tell the union that Daddy was calling a press conference less than two hours later to announce that the government had arrived at a settlement with the Lord himself. The Union says the gross disrespect goes beyond anything they had experienced under "smart" Said!" End quote.
That's one heck of an opening (!), and the release continues along that line saying, quote, "The Union and its members were stunned to learn on Monday...that the hostile relationship between the Ashcroft Group and Barrow Government had changed overnight to one of rapprochement, unbeknownst to the people of Belize, the employees of the company and the Union."
And this is where it gets really hard hitting, quote
"the Barrow Government was acting from the same script as the Musa Government, but more polished and more secretive actors were starring in the film that has now become known as Deja Vu BTL." End quote. The release then refers to, quote, "secret meetings that involved only two or three people on the government's part," and, quote, "indifference to the employees who have a vested interest in the company ?through the employee trust and the shares being held in trust for them." End quote. The union also adds that it should have been advised of, quote ?"'secret negotiations'" leading to a settlement."
And then the release goes unto say, quote, "The Musa Administration enriched the Ashcroft Group by giving them a 15% return on investment through the Accommodation Agreement. (the) Barrow Administration has done worse by saddling all Belizeans, from the cradle to those on their way to their graves, with a whopping $162 million plus of Belizean sweat dollars to the national debt,". On this point, they conclude wearily, quote, "All this was done in secrecy to make Mr Ashcroft happy and a bunch of lawyers millions of dollars richer while we the taxpayers of Belize and workers of BTL must now carry this increased debt burden with us every day." End quote.
It concludes, quote,
"Now we know for certain that there is no difference between the PUP and the UDP. Both Musa and Barrow have failed us and now we are forced to wonder all over again 'If we change monkey fu black dog'.... the nationalization was all a charade and we believe that the Prime Minister knew eons ago this is how it would have ended.... You have taken us for fools Mr PM and we are disgusted...There is a weird feeling that this is 2005 all over with a little more sophistication."
Very, very strong language, and more than one reference to shares which they feel they are owed. And following on from that acerbic press release, about 70 BTL workers used their lunch break to stage a protest in downtown Belize City around the company's Regent and Church street offices. But while they blazed up the Barrow administration with that press release today's protest had a very muted tone - where the union executives wouldn't say much at all and nothing about politics - only making vague references to workers' issues:..
Mike Rudon, Ch5
"Why are you guys out here today? What is the main concern?"
Michael Augustus, President - BCWU
"A number of concerns…disrespect…having not enough respect for the union, the membership, for employees. There are some health issues, somethings that need to be address urgently and there are many other which we will speak about in the future, very near future if they are not resolved in a timely manner. Our reason for being out here is because we are meeting on them, we are discussing them, but we will need that feedback that we are getting or our membership believes that when we took it back to them, that it's not enough, it's not timely enough and therefore actions needs to be taken. During this our when a lot of our staff, more than 70% are working. If you can see the turnout in support and in solidarity. Staff, there are totally behind this. We would not have made the move unless we we've had the majority."
Jules Vasquez
"Is this an issue with Anwar Barrow, son of the Prime Minister?"
Michael Augustus, President - BCWU
"At this time I will not comment on that. However we are in discussion with them and the membership just strongly believes that the actions that are being taken are not fact enough and taken seriously enough."
Geovannie Brackett, reporter
"In a portion of your release, it's actually stated that this administration is worse."
Michael Augustus, President - BCWU
"I was asked by my membership not to speak, not to comment. I think I went further was expected of me. I was told not to even accept…so at this point I will say no more."
Leann Bardalez, GENERAL SECRETARY - BCWU
"Our membership has advised us right now. We will issue a release later. So kindly respect that. We will get back in touch with our media colleagues and friends."
No further union release has been forthcoming this evening, but in last night's one, they did refer - almost as a footnote - to a few work related issues: the first is, quote: "the culture of fear that management has created and promotes; the second, "management's blatant disrespect of the Union and its members."
Well, this evening, management sent out a press release saying, quote, "The Board of Directors of Belize Telemedia Limited is disappointed that the…Union made the decision to issue its scathing press release last night…without first seeking to take advantage of the established avenues available for the resolution of issues within the Company."
The release, signed by Board Chairman Nestor Vasquez says, quote, "the Union always has the opportunity to direct unresolved issues to the Board. In the six (6) years since the nationalization, the Board, at the Union's request, has successfully intervened, willingly and promptly, to solve unresolved issues even before they emerge as disputes between management and the Union." It adds, quote, "Despite the unwarranted attack by the BCWU, the Board remains committed to ensuring that all issues which occur between Management and the Union are properly addressed..."
It concludes, quote,
"The…Board has today extended an invitation to the Executive of the Union to meet and engage in meaningful dialogue on those issues at any time and at their convenience...The Board has always recognized that our employees are partners with management in the task of production.
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