P.B.L. Says Loss of Revenues can Potentially Impact Economy

Ted Peralta

Prior to Peralta taking over as C.E.O., agreements involving the Port of Belize Limited and the stevedores had been entered into and discussions were had on the financial implications for stevedores.  Peralta says that notwithstanding the mutual agreements, the C.W.U. proceeded to act on its own irresponsibly and the potential consequences can negatively impact the economy.

Ted Peralta, C.E.O., Port of Belize Ltd.

“In light of that, there was a bilateral agreement between ourselves and the CWU where several emails were exchanged, as well as several discussions on the impact financially to these stevedores, our employees, was conducted.  After the final discussion was had, the stevedores then went ahead and worked the ships as two gangs per ship.  Furthermore, we paid them.  They were remunerated for everything with no issues with the remuneration that was happening and we had undergone this process for the past ten months.  Now we were of the opinion that this was an agreement that we had, again, bilaterally amongst ourselves and, again, the CWU took a unilateral decision to just renege on everything we’ve had and everything we’ve discussed and everything we’ve exchanged.”

Isani Cayetano

“What happens afterwards?  Perishables are in the containers on the ship waiting to be offloaded, customers on land are waiting to receive the goods that they have ordered and what-have-you.  Until CWU comes to the table, what becomes of those items onboard that vessel?”

Ted Peralta

“Well we are in discussions with the shipping line at this moment.  We haven’t had any confirmation as yet, but we are looking at different options, but the main option on the table is having the CWU come back to us and we get the gangs out there to discharge the container.”

Isani Cayetano

“The port is losing money, the stevedores are losing money and customers are disgruntled.  Everybody is at a loss here.  What’s the way forward?”

Ted Peralta

“Well, the economic loss is across the board, it’s not just to us.  Yes, we are an organization that runs on revenue, but at the end of the day the economic loss that we are looking at and we’re more, we tend to be more inclined to discuss is those trickling down to the consumers.”