In February, 7News told you about the 7 employees who the Belize Water Services Limited sent home in a purge after emails and letters were circulated around about sex scandals happening within the company.
Well, as we told you, 6 of these employees, Don Gillett, Colin Morrison, Charlette Barnett, Michael Novelo, Journett McKoy, and Mark Menzies, filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court claiming damages for wrongful termination, because the company's administration allegedly fired them without proof.
Today, after more than 5 and a half months, that lawsuit began today before Justice Courtney Ashton Abel, and 7News was there.
After a short in-chambers session with the attorneys from both sides, Justice Abel announced in open court that he will adjourn the matter until tomorrow to give both sides to make a meaningful attempt at settlement talks.
Outside of court, 7News spoke to the attorney of one of the aggrieved employees, and he briefly outlined the employees' case:
Kareem Musa, attorney
"We sued for wrongful termination and what that entails is a suite that covers damages, it covers loss of salary. For instance, my client had 12 more years until retired. He would have been 62. He has been employed with BWSL for the past 33 years, believe it or not. He has quite a remarkable track record with the company. He was terminated after serving that company well for so many years and there are actually performance appraisals that went in his favor each and every year."
"It's a complete disrespect, it's insulting, its offensive for him to now have to go through this procedure, but it's something that he is willing to do. He was terminated clearly when you looked at all the evidence - he was terminated wrongfully because they try to say that he was implicated in some gossip that was taking place at BWSL and nothing of this sort took place. They had no justification in terminating him and that is the reason why we are suing today."
Daniel Ortiz
"What is your client seeking ultimately if he should succeed with his suit against BWSL?"
Kareem Musa, attorney
"Well, damages at large certainly along with as I discussed the severance for the years pre 1993 because the pension plan did not come in place until 1993, so we are looking severance before those years, we are looking at 12 additional years that he could have been employed with the company because he retires at 62 and we are also looking at damages at large and of course loss of increments that he would have been entitled to for the next 12 years."
Daniel Ortiz
"Is there a figure that your client has presented to the BWSL? I understand that you've been trying to settle this issue before it went to this stage today?"
Kareem Musa, attorney
"Yes, we've been negotiating. I wouldn't say that its been a very fruitful attempt so far so this might very well end up in a trial. I don't see why because the liability is clearly there against the company. They were wrong in terminating them. I think the real issue that needs be determined is the quantum that my client would be entitled to and I don't want to prejudice the case in any way at this stage so I won't be discussing the amount that we've asking for or what they've responded with at this stage."
Attorney Antoinette Moore represents the other 5 employees, while Julie-Ann Ellis Bradley represents BWS.
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