And while the NTUCB's leaders hard talk took the frontline at today's press conference, the event was actually organized by BTL's Belize Communications Workers Union. They called the press conference to tell everyone that they are still demanding 37% ownership in BTL and they want it now, more than ever.
Paul Perriot, BCWU President
"The BCWU is not asking for shares free of cost. GOB can sign them over now and use them as the collateral and the employees will pledge the dividend income to cover the loan. There is already a loan for these shares at the International Bank of Miami. Key to where we are right now, blocks of this 37.5% of shares available right now that GOB owns will be made available to other unions. Government should be the first to support such a scheme. Belizeans have shown that they are capable of managing this company and generating historic profitability. If the government had not interfered in telecommunications industry, none of this would have happened. The Public Utilities Commission could have regulated lower rates. Campaign promise which the government had cited for its litany of errors and its mistakes. Employees and management ownership is not a new concept. In the U.S. it is a standard practice given CEO and management incentives to achieve targets. BCWU also wants possession of the golden shares. This is not a political issue on our side. It is an issue as Belizeans. We must stand firm as Belizeans that we must achieve the level of power within the company so as to ensure our workers a job security. BTL fight is a fight about the future of Belize, about who will own and operate our national assets, about the participation of workers and professionals in ownership of BTL. It is now or never people."
Government's Minister of Information Godfrey Smith today said that the government side has been trying to meet with the Communication Workers, but it could not happen yesterday because they were awaiting word from one of the banks word which did not come until yesterday evening.
