Union complains to new citrus company
On the heels of the Prime Minister’s announcement that former Minister of Citrus and outgoing Stann Creek West representative, Henry Canton, has been appointed as an Ambassador of Trade, it appears trouble is brewing inside his new company: labour trouble. According to the Christian Workers Union, which claims to represent approximately two hundred workers at the newly created Citrus Products of Belize, organised labour is being disrespected. The problem, according to union General Secretary James McFoy, is that C.P.B. plans to terminate all the old Del Oro employees and start over from scratch.
James McFoy, General Secretary, Christian Workers Union
“This very same month these workers will be paid what is due to them. They will classify them as redundant and then down the road, who they use to be fit to work for them or with them will be rehired…some will be laid off because after you done pay them, I noh have no…so that is the scenario. So in other words what they are saying to the union, union, I the bust you; it’s a union busting. And I’ll say it to the public and the whole country, I am surprised that a former minister who knows the constitution and the manifesto of this government of respecting unions to be allowing this thing to happen.”
“As my press release state, refrain from that sort of action and let the union sit down and talk to you. Let us understand where you intend to go, and we as a responsible union, again, we will understand and maybe go along with what you had in an agenda. But we cannot do it with that sort of behaviour. It is a total insult and disrespect.”
According to Citrus Products of Belize factory manager Gerry Sharp, plans to consolidate the company’s two processing plants in time for the 2003-2004 crop year will cost an estimated five million U.S. dollars. Sharp says in order to finalize their plans with minimum disruption, layoffs have become necessary to improve efficiency and lower costs. The old Del Oro company was recently purchased by the Citrus Growers Association. While the price was a token U.S. greenback, the assumed debt totals a hefty thirty-seven million U.S. dollars.
