What’s Next for Stevedores at the Port of Belize?

Audrey Matura-Shepherd

With the signing of the SI, stevedores will only be able to strike after a twenty-one day notice to the government. So what is the next step for the CBA?

Audrey Matura-Shepherd, President, CWU

“It’s so ironic what could possible happen because the only bargaining unit for the stevedores is the CWU and the only recognized entity that can send stevedores to that Port is the CWU. There would definitely be a legal crisis, but I think that there would be bloodbath. Honestly, I cannot see those stevedores stepping aside and saying, mek somebody else do the work. And I would hope it wouldn’t reach that. It’s a sad situation. I noh know if people could understand the magnitude of how downtrodden these people are and how unfair they’ve been dealt with. It still leaves room for a CBA because the stevedores can strike upon twenty-one days notice and we can give that notice the minute it has been gazetted. And sad, but true, as much as I try to tell those stevedores what to do or not, me singularly can say don’t do it, but never mess with a mad man; a hungry man, an angry man and a poor man. At some point, they will break. Loyalty to everything else will be put aside and natural instinct of survival will take over. Trust me they are not happen. It’s a very difficult situation, but we will remain at that table. We will take our licks, our punches; we’ll be attacked and everybody will have all versions of stories to give. But I am hoping that by the grace of God—not the input of man or government—by the grace of God, by next year this time, we will have a CBA and that bukut has got to be reversed.”