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Months of back and forth between both sides could not settle their labour differences, principally for an exit package deal for the 60-odd workers. That matter is still pending but FCIB is already singing sayonara. Today, CWU President Audrey Matura Shepherd told us that this is yet another show of bad faith on the part of the bank.

Audrey Matura - Shepard, President - CWU
"What happened is that strangely despite the bank not having any dialogue with us, they were insisting to have a meeting and we were unable to attend that meeting before, because we are completing negotiations with other entities. So the Mr. Smith from the bank insisted that if he could only visit the office to talk to Mr. Neal which he did yesterday. The reason that was important for them to have done is because the legislation and the CBA clearly said that whatever decision that will affect the workers, they had to first inform the bank, then they could implement it. So without that meeting they would have violated our collective bargaining agreement. So they popped in at the office yesterday to tell us oh by the way this is the exit date and to give us a letter saying now that the law kicks into effect, which we always said that the redundancy law kick into effect long before and just to go through the formality and thereafter they had a meeting with the employees to answer some of their concerns - certain promises and statements were made and that's where if left. So we had no intention of saying anything because we knew we had to go back to the table. Then the press release came and then we knew that they made to official outside rather than what they told us."

Now Matura is turning to a public promise that the Prime Minister made last year, when the vesting bill went to the House. He said, quote, "I will not appoint a commencement date until all matters pertaining to the acquisition have been settled and all matters include the question of the negotiations between the staff and FCIB." Today, she reminded the public of this promise:

Audrey Matura - Shepard, President - CWU
"Imagine the government, the Minister of Finance, went ahead and passed the legislation. We are waiting to hear from them now. Because remember they said they would not sign in the date until they know that the negotiations were concluded and the negotiations are not concluded yet. It would be interesting, I say interesting because they are a mad rush now to try and complete. Even though from the start we've been asking them please tell us when is the exit date. I mean, the bad faith has been unimaginable. But I think anybody looking on, they will see that the trend in this country when it comes to master/servant, employer/employee is that the master/employers always has the upper hand and when they cannot control the employee they call on the state and the state who is in bed with the business entity will always bring their force and their might against the workers and I think my experience that the Christian Workers Union has been at."

With the transition of assets from FCIB to Heritage bank already approved by the Central Bank of Belize, there isn't much holding FCIB back from their departure. At the end of today's press briefing Matura offered some rather sour parting words for FCIB in case the impasse in negotiations continue over the next few weeks.

Audrey Matura - Shepard, President - CWU
"If the bank's conduct was to frustrate the workers I will congratulate the bank and said you've succeeded in frustrating the workers and showing them that you have the might and everybody on your side. Wish you luck in whichever jurisdiction you go, because in some place you will go a step too far."

Reports are that as many as five workers have already left seeking employment elsewhere. And while there is the perception that Heritage bank will take on a few workers, Matura argues that that is just for show. Negotiations in the meantime will continue up until the 31st of January when the bank officially leaves.