They said they would sit out in protest today and they did. BTL staffers gathered outside the Esquivel Telecom Center on St. Thomas Street to demand a say in who will own and operate BTL. Things got heated when Investment minister Ralph Fonseca came to the compound to speak with managers, he met a testy group of BTL workers outside and 7NEWS cameras captured it all. Our team of Keith Swift and Alfonso Noble were there form 8:00 in the morning and that's where Keith picks up the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Uncertainty over the future of BTL brought tensions at the company's corporate headquarters on St. Thomas Street to a head this morning. It began at around 8 am when hundreds of staffers from branches countrywide reported to the parking lot. In a show of solidarity and defiance, they ditched their regular uniforms for union shirts. The militant workers remained on standby while their management and union leaders met inside with Investment Minister Ralph Fonseca.
At 9:30 Union Secretary Christine Perriot and a Senior Manager Mark Usher emerged with an update. They addressed the workers who were now cringing under a belting morning sun.
Christine Perriot, Belize Communication Worker's Union
"The option that they are presenting, and an option that we are looking at, is the best way forward where you get rid of the foreigners and let us take control. But there are the litigations and agreements that they have signed with these people. I don't know how the mix they will deal to get out of it but that's it. The point is that the main option is that the main option that is there is facing towards Ashcroft. I am giving you the reality of it. I am updating you guys. It has not been finalized yet so tell me what you all think."
[Workers Saying Voicing Opposition]
The workers clearly weren't happy and the tense mood on the company's compound became downright ugly when at around 10 am, Investment Minister Fonseca emerged at the door to leave and was greeted by this:
[Ralph Fonseca at door and BTL staffers start booing.]
Christine Perriot,
[Addressing Workers on Megaphone] "Please hold up. We have to keep control. We have Mr. Aguilar here who we have put a lot of trust in. Let's work with that process until all the process is exhausted. You know we will do something, unu know that. We all have shown that. Now the Minister is going to leave and I want unu make a clear path and make him pass and we will not stop him."
Led by government appointed CEO Gaspar Aguilar and flanked by a BTL security guard, a bold Fonseca managed to find his way to his ministerial ride, all the while enduring the wrath of the employees.
[Fonseca Walking Through Crowd Towards his vehicle and he is booed.]
Keith Swift,
Minister the workers are saying they want BTL back in Belizean hands.
Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Investment
"That is the whole idea. That is what the whole process is about."
Keith Swift,
Are they going to get what they want?
Ralph Fonseca,
"Yes they will."
Fonseca drove off and it was left to CEO Gaspar Aguilar to deal with the riled up crowd over the megaphone.
Gaspar Aguilar, BTL Chief Executive Officer
"I want to ask you one question. I want to know if you respect me as the head of this company for today? "
[Workers Reply Yes.]
Gaspar Aguilar,
"Then I ask you to be quiet and listen to me."
They were quiet and did listen as Aguilar publicly chided the employees for their treatment of Fonseca. Aguilar said their actions undermined his leadership.
Gaspar Aguilar,
"I need you to support me and this that you did just now doesn't help me. I would have liked for you to stand together and in silence give the message that you are here waiting to make sure that at the end of the day we get what we want. You need to work with me and if I get the feeling that you're not working with me then I can't work with you either and I'll just give up. We need calm. We need to get to work and keep this company going because remember all the time we are standing out here, we are also hurting ourselves because the company is not running properly. So I am asking you to be calm, support us yes, but our leadership. If you don't trust me then say so. If you see me walking out with the Minister it is because I am sitting with them negotiating for our best interest. If you doubt that tell me now. I have that question for you, do you doubt me yes or no?"
{Workers Reply 'No'.]
Gaspar Aguilar,
"Then give me the chance and give me the way forward. Support me yes but don't do this again to me. So if you support me, you know I support you because otherwise I wouldn't be doing all of this. Its much easier to go somewhere else and make a living. So please get back to work. Almost the whole morning is almost gone. We need to go and keep this company moving."
And despite that directive slash plea from their CEO, in the calm that followed this morning's storm, the workers did not move and did not return to work - maintaining a wary watch on the embattled company's compound.
