And while he's jousting with the unions, Fonseca is also battling BTL boss Dean Boyce. Over the past two days we've told you about letters Boyce has been sending to Fonseca, openly lecturing and speaking down to the Minister. Speaking with the press today, Fonseca called Boyce arrogant.
Jules Vasquez,
What do you make of the tone that Dean Boyce, the CEO, the Managing Committee of BTL, what do you make of the tone that Dean Boyce has used to you in letters that he has sent to you?
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Well it's obviously a level of arrogance and I maintain my position very firmly. My comments as to the bad faith of BTL in terminating Mrs. Perriot do not go to the legality of her termination. Even if there was a determination to be made that she had been lawfully terminated, I still view it as an act of bad faith; bad faith towards the Ministry of Labour, disrespectful of the process that we were engaged in.
I had convened all the parties around the table. We were having discussions, I believe productive progressive consultations. We were within a twenty one day notice period of intended industrial action and we were trying everything we could to resolve that dispute in an amicable fashion and Mrs. Perriot was one of the negotiators around the table representing the BCWU. So I view it as an act of utmost bad faith for BTL to terminate her at that time."
Jules Vasquez,
Is the appointment of their arbitrators meant to intimidate? They've appointed an arbitrator from Washington D.C. with an alternate from Houston from two very high priced law firms.
Hon. Francis Fonseca,
"Like any other private entity, BTL is entitled to appoint who they want so we are not intimidated by who they appoint."
Fonseca expanded his comments on Boyce when he wrote to him today. In his letter he accuses Boyce squarely of being racist. Fonseca's letter says: "the arrogance…in your letters...undoubtedly finds its roots in one's own sense of economic and racial superiority. Regrettable indeed," Fonseca also braces Boyce for accusing him of seeking to make political capital off the Perriot firing. He tells Boyce his suggestion is both disrespectful and defamatory. And Fonseca closes warning Boyce that he will, "not allow misguided challenges to my authority to go unanswered," and concludes that, "this represents my final communication to you on this matter."
