Two days after buying controlling interests in BTL for US $89 million US - Jeffrey Prosser flew out of Belize on his private jet this afternoon.
But before he left, this morning Prosser had his first face-to-face meeting with BTL's union - The Belize Communication's Workers Union at the Radisson Fort George hotel. Here's how that went...
Keith Swift Reporting,
Before heading out of town late this morning - new BTL majority shareholder Jeffrey Prosser went head to head with union members at a breakfast meeting. Prosser left with no comment but the union's executive says that on the table were concerns about transition tremors, job security, and their collective bargaining agreement.
Paul Perriot, BTL Union President
"At today's meetings we asked some questions to Mr. Prosser and he was straightforward with his answers and he kind of broke the ice a little you know. I think we could go back a little more at ease and wait for him to come in and see what changes will happen then."
Keith Swift,
"Is there is any insecurity about jobs?"
Paul Perriot,
"No insecurity right now. He pointed out directly that he doesn't intend to cut any staff or make any changes. With regards to management or the employees of BTL."
Keith Swift,
"Let's go to the collective bargaining agreement. Was that brought up this morning?"
Paul Perriot,
"Personally we met with him and we brought it up and asked what he knew about it. He said it is an outstanding issue and he wants to the deal with it as quick as possible."
Javier Roberts, BTL Union Executive
"We are confident especially after this small meeting that we will bring a solution to our present negotiations which were set back because of the negotiations about the ownership. But now that has been established, we are confident we will get a favorable outcome."
Christine Perriot, BTL Union Executive,
"I think it was good for us the union because the staff members were always in this uncertainty and now we got some answers which we can go back and tell our staff listen this is where we stand. We took the approach in waiting and now it is working on our behalf. We can go back and give them something positive."
And while they describe the meeting as positive - the union admits nothing concrete came out of the 3 hour-long session. And if anything they concede it was only an opportunity for a face to face with their new boss. And as for that well most left with a favorable impression of Prosser hoping their relationship with him will be better than it was with Lord Ashcroft.
Javier Roberts,
"The impression I got from him is that he is a down to earth guy who interacts with his staff no matter what level i.e. management, junior, senior, regular staff. So that is one of the qualities which I think would allow us to interact and avoid certainly conflicts and deal with issues more closely."
Keith Swift,
"Unlike Mr. Ashcroft?"
Javier Roberts,
"Well we did not deal directly with Mr. Ashcroft so we wouldn't be able to compare him to Mr. Ashcroft."
Keith Swift,
"Are you guys happy that Mr. Ashcroft is gone?"
Bernard Pitts Jr., BTL Union Executive
"Its basically a mutual thing because both of them have the same ideas. The only thing is that Mr. Ashcroft runs a public corporation while Mr. Prosser runs a private one. Its quite a sigh of relief for everybody simply because the problem was with government and seeing where our next move was. So we looking forward to moving ahead and seeing where the process takes and hopefully we can continue from there."
No word on when Prosser will return, however he has indicated his intent to meet with the rank and file of the company. While he may not be in the country we understand he will be sending in an interim transition manager who should arrive on Sunday. Prosser has stated that will be run by a Belizean and a release from the company yesterday said "we will assess the Belizeans in the company and build a management team of Belizean nationals." The release issued late yesterday also reiterated ICC's intention to Purchase 100% of BTL's stock for a total of US $105 million.