Will There be Nationwide Blackouts on Wednesday?

A

Marvin Mora

ccording to Mora, the strike has become necessary only after a protracted attempt to find middle ground with B.E.L. management. With that option seemingly off the table, the union seems prepared to stand its ground. In fact Mora says that since last month the union was prepared to strike.

Marvin Mora, General Secretary, Belize Energy Workers Union

“The union has worked the system. We have been more than patient. Our people have been asking for a strike from before September…at the beginning of September and it has been the Executive that always holds on to the hope that the diplomatic process would work. But apparently that is yielding no results, so the membership now is taking the charge and they are the ones that are requesting that strike.”

Reporter

“Sir how long do you foresee this strike lasting? If you all go on strike tomorrow and there is no response from BEL or from the Minister?”

Marvin Mora

“Well the union members have told us in no uncertain language that they are prepared to stay as long as it takes for their proposals to be agreed on. I think one of the things that happened is that Minister Hulse got carried away with an amount of figures and numbers that BEL had presented to him. In effect he was confused and did not understand the stance of the company and really did not understand the proposals that were being made by the union. Now that was clarified last night and we are waiting for his word or that of someone in authority that would basically tell us where we are. It’s either BEL moves off of their position, or we will have to do what we have to do.”

Late this evening, News Five was able to confirm that B.E.W.U. representatives and Prime Minister Dean Barrow were able to hammer out an agreement that satisfies the union. At this moment those representatives are heading to Belmopan to sign off on that agreement which they insist must be in black and white. If that happens, then the strike will be called off.