And in other news, for years, there has been a level of agitation between the employees at the Port of Belize and its employers. For the stevedores, it all came to a head last July when a protest led to riot gear, tear gas, and rubber bullets. But two weeks later, on August 3rd, history was made when the stevedores and the port signed a long anticipated CBA. This CBA was at the center of the disagreements between the two parties, just like it is at the center of the issues between the port and its staff. On the same day the CBA for the stevedores was signed, they began negotiations for the staff CBA.
Well it's been a year and a month, during which the labor commissioner had to get involved and then pulled out because of a 21 day strike notice, but finally there has been a major development. The president of the Christian Workers Union, Evan Mose Hyde, has signed the CBA for the staff. According to him, the Port of Belize has not signed yet and he doesn't know when they will, but still, there is light at the end of this long, drawn out tunnel. We will have more on this tomorrow.
