B.T.L. workers protest, shut down phones

It could be described as a “wake up call” to the Prime Minister, Jeffrey Prosser and Michael Ashcroft…except this morning there weren’t any wake up calls–or calls of any type, as one or more B.T.L. employees sabotaged the network of land lines, cellular service and internet for around four hours this morning. The technical action was followed by picketing by several hundred workers who say they are opposed to foreign ownership of the company and are calling for talks with the Government of Belize to ensure that at the end of the legal wrangles, B.T.L. is owned by Belizeans. From the picket lines, president of the Belize Communication Workers Union, Paul Perriot, told News 5 that if their demands aren’t met, the public can expect more of the same.

Paul Perriot, President, Belize Communication Workers Union
?The staff decided collectively we will start some actions, pointing fingers to the past owners: Michael Ashcroft, the Prossers; that we don?t want them controlling the company anymore.?

?What start today, is just the beginning of the whole process, if they don?t listen, I guess they will feel. And on the long run, we don?t want that for B.T.L.; we want B.T.L. to compete the proper way.?

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
?You were talking about actions being taken, should I take this to mean that this morning?s no service was part of the action? Was it something deliberate??

Paul Perriot
?Well I guess you could take it whichever you want and I know the public knows whatever happen…?

Jacqueline Woods
?But I want it from you though Mr. Perriot, was it something deliberate??

Paul Perriot
?I won?t disclose if it was deliberate or not, we experience some problems, that dah as far as we will mention with regards to whe happen. If it doesn?t go our way, then we would have to come out and actually say what we would be doing.?

Jacqueline Woods
?And should we expect more malfunction??

Jacqueline Woods
?If doesn?t go our way and the government doesn?t, or they no ah work with we, in getting what we deh ask them fu do fu we, we will be experiencing more, yes.?

News 5 understands that members of the Belize Communication Workers Union are planning similar protest actions on Wednesday and Thursday and will also be represented outside the National Assembly on Friday.