CWU Unearths 2005 Agreement Between GOB and Big Creek Port

The Christian Workers Union has also pulled out an agreement signed between the Government of Belize and the Port of Belize Limited back in 2005. C.W.U. alleges the agreement has been kept under wraps and that members had to do some serious investigative work to unearth it. The agreement, signed one year before the 2006 M.O.U. between G.O.B. and The Big Creek Port, Toledo Enterprises, restricts the Big Creek Port to the exportation of bananas, and importation to banana industry-related material. The 2005 agreement further states that G.O.B. will pay damages to the Port of Belize in the event that general cargo is received at Big Creek. C.W.U. says it is bringing the agreement to light to show that the restrictions placed on the Big Creek Port are backed up by not only the 2006 M.O.U. but also this 2005 document. 

Mose Hyde, President, CWU

Mose Hyde

“All the while we have been begging to find out what ground we stand on, what position we have. All the while, we were under this understanding that nobody knows anything about this agreement, all the while. And, they have all been in on this knowledge. It is insulting that you can look at us and know what is at stake for those members you see on Dean St. and, it is the workers who have to be digging up, running done. Trust me; there is a lot of running down gawn on here to even get the MOU, much less to get this agreement. And our position right now is why is nobody else fighting? Why is it that only stevedores are fighting this? Why? If there is no agreement, if these are rendered null and void, the implications go further than sugar. Because, what happens when you decide that PBL will have a cruise terminal and they start that you will do work on a cruise terminal. They decide that they got to fix their pier and close down operations, what happens to our members? What happens if the person that does shipping decides we prefer the fact that Big Creek does not have unionized members? What happens to our members then? What is the value of all the agreements we enter into if there is nothing in place to ensure that there is any contractual obligations for Port of Belize limited?”

When asked for a comment, C.E.O. at the Port of Belize, Andy Lane, told News Five via text, “under the rules of the Tribunal, P.B.L. and myself are not permitted to discuss or disclose anything related to this case outside of the Tribunal. I have to respect that requirement fully.”