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Today, members of the Energy Workers Union of Belgium ended three days of picketing in front of the company’s headquarters. So what will they do next? The two sides have been negotiating a new collective agreement since November, but the talks broke down in June when they went to mediation with the Labor Commissioner. But the union rejected the mediation and took to the picket lines. What will happen next? They have been asked to meet with Labor Minister Godwin Hulse.
Marvin Mora, Belize Energy Workers Union
“The employees are still here, so they haven’t succeeded in convincing the employees of what they’re saying. If what they’re saying is that they don’t want to give the employees anything, all they have to do is tell us – we don’t believe you’ve earned anything, we don’t believe it’s fair for us to give you anything, we’re not going to give you anything, and that’s the end of the story. That’s all they have to do, they don’t have to tell the story too long.”
Daniel Ortiz
“Can you believe that’s what they’re saying now?”
Marvin Mora, Belize Energy Workers Union
“Man, they really do say that.”
Daniel Ortiz
“They said that even though the company’s performance was not good and it was not profitable, they still paid you all the benefits, and the benefits have increased by 20% over the past four years. What is the reaction of the union members at this time?”
Marvin Mora, Belize Energy Workers Union
Look at the crowd: “Did anyone here get a 20% salary increase?”
crowd
“No!”
Marvin Mora, Belize Energy Workers Union
“I think you’ve got your answer.”
Daniel Ortiz
“So, what’s next for BEWU?”
Marvin Mora, Belize Energy Workers Union
“Next, we recently received a call from the minister. The union is considering the issue and we will give him an answer soon – possibly within the next hour. But at the end of the day, the union still has a choice and whatever this group of people and other workers who did not come out for lunch decides, that is what we have to do. If the minister has the authority from the government and he can indeed make decisions on behalf of the government, he does not have to consult BEL. He should understand that our demands are fair and just and no reasonable employee would ever accept the two outrageous conditions that the company has asked us to make.”
Daniel Ortiz
“Sir, if he now sides with the company and agrees with their position instead of the union’s, what will happen?”
Marvin Mora, Belize Energy Workers Union
“Man, at the end of the day, these guys right here are going to decide what happens next, and I believe they understand their true power and what they can do, and that’s why we’re out here speaking to the media so that our customers know that no matter what happens, the guys right here are ready to give it their all.”
The union will meet with Minister Hulse tomorrow afternoon.
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