Today, the Belize Communications Workers for Justice turned up the temperature on BTL by picketing in front of the Chairman's house.
That's their response to BTL's press conference yesterday - where the company explained that it would be issuing the severances directly to former employees. As we told you, BTL is only willing to pay 6% interest going back to November, 2025 - and not back to their date of termination. That's a difference of thousands of dollars.
The anger over that fueled the protest in front of Southside Meats today. Courtney Menzies was there:
Going from BTL's corporate headquarters to the Chairman's home base, the BCWJ members were outside Chairman Mark Lizarraga's house today with their picket signs. Though their protest was only one hour, the crowd was spirited and they maintain that it has been growing over the past month. The display of unity is needed since their rep, Emily Turner, believes the BTL is trying to divide them.
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep
"We interpret the press conference yesterday as a tactic to try and divide and conquer but as they said in the press conference, there's only one person they believe was part or our group, we haven't received any information from anyone in our group that they were leaving. We had our meeting last night, we got our mandate, we continue protesting, we have a strategic plan that we are executing."
And now they've written an open letter to the prime minister to intervene and allow them to sit in front of the board - not the messengers.
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep
"We were surprised that the negotiations were closed, I think we did have a fall out in the conversations where they could not meet what we were requesting but we extended an olive branch and we asked them to ask the board on our behalf to have a meeting with us and this is something that has happened in the past."
"For us, we were surprised that the negotiations have ended and in good spirit and in good faith we extended a letter to our prime minister who we know appoints all the board members and we are hoping and looking forward to him responding to us favorably next week or this weekend when he returns."
Michael Augustus, BCWJ Rep
"The group, the messengers the were placed in front there, should give room for the board because they don't know to negotiate."
And while they await the PM's response, they believe that yesterday's press conference only worked in their favor:
Reporter
"They're basically saying they're doing you guys a favor."
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep
"I think that the comments on Facebook have answered that for us, that's not even conceivable that they should be paying anybody 6% since that judgement and we put out an example with Paul Perriott where you guys are seeing that what Paul deserves is in the thousands and what they are offering to all of those employees to settle is about $158. Paul's case is a perfect example and we have people that have more than that amount of years, we have people that are 19 years and 20 years so it is a pittance what they are offering."
"This is the reason why we organize and we bargain collectively because they cannot be trusted when you go to the table with them. And I'm very happy and I would say elated that this group has sat down yesterday, we strategized about our actions and we are executing that, we're not fazed by the press conference that they had, I think it really energized us more and I think that it really added so much more public support, the comments that we saw on the media houses were just amazing and I really want to thank the public for understanding this issue, taking the time our to understand it."
And today they also had support from two members of the UDP.
Lee Mark Chang, Mesop Area Rep
"I am here to support my friend, Senator Dennison, he asked me for a donation to feed the demonstrators for their lunch period so I said no problem and I'm here just dropping off the food."
Courtney Menzies:
"But you're supporting the BCWJ's cause?"
Lee Mark Chang, Mesop Area Rep
"Well, of course. How will you say that since the judgment then you will pay the 6%? The money is due from when you stop work of they terminate you and once you qualify they need to pay money."
Earl Trapp, UDP Mayor, SISE
"I worked 23 years with BTL and in solidarity with the many former employees of BTL like the BTL board said that worked arduously to build BTL where it's at today. It's solidarity with them and the many people in need. I am in solidarity so I decided to come out and lend them that support because at the end of the day severance is not just a privilege, it is a right. And in that respect I have been encouraging the former employees to fight for what is rightly theirs, that's basic."
Courtney Menzies:
"Do you believe he should resign?"
Earl Trapp, UDP Mayor, SISE
"To be honest I wouldn't want to answer to that. I will just leave it as is but at the end of the day, let us work by principles and let us understand that it is because of the poor working people that you are collecting that fat check so think about the people."
And while BTL's offer of paying out severances to former employees directly is still on the table, the BCWJ is advising those who aren't a part of the group to not bite the bait just yet.
Michael Augustus, BCWJ Rep
"I want to share this with former employees, those who are not members of BCWJ and those who are members of BCWJ. Don't swallow their pill. They want to pull you in. You have to give them days and advanced notice that you're interested in coming to seek your severance which they know you're entitled to and they will determine whether or not you should be paid. But with a group behind you, because they weren't paying anybody after 6 years. They weren't even paying anybody. But after we stated kicking up dust, they all want to come forward to say oh we are going to pay. They are making up stories to look good and we know the devious set of people they are."
Courtney Menzies:
"Are you prepared or are you preparing to go to court?"
Emily Turner, BCWJ Rep
"At this time, our mandate is for us to proceed with these protests and some more actions next week. So that's an item on the table but we have already strategized and right now we are more in these protests, doing the open letters and getting our information out and we will execute that until we get a point where we will be making decisions around that."
We will keep following the BCWJ's next protest.
