Port dispute settled; terms not released

It’s official… the go-slow at the port is over, the workers are getting a Christmas bonus and there won’t be a strike early in the New Year. A settlement in the labour dispute that severely interrupted movement of goods through the Belize City port for almost a week was reached this morning when the workers gave the okay to their representatives, the Christian Workers Union, to ink the deal. While officials of both sides confirmed to News 5 that an agreement has been reached, the details of the settlement remain a closely guarded secret. The Union and port management have both agreed to issue a joint release on Friday offering the particulars of the agreement. But whatever the settlement entails, it is doubtful that workers will receive the full five percent bonus they had been agitating for. One segment of the local press is reporting that the figure is in fact three point seven-five percent.

While the impasse at the Belize City Port is over, down south a team of workers are trying to clear the channel at the Commerce Bight facility where a vessel has sunk and threatens to impede the docking of ships. Port of Belize Limited C.E.O Alberto Mahler, following the meeting with the union this morning, travelled to Dangriga to oversee efforts to float the sunken boat as preparations continue for the start of the citrus shipping season in January.