Stevedores Stick to CBA, Despite Talks with P.B.L.

Evan ‘Mose’ Hyde

In spite of the gag order that all parties agreed to during the meeting, we asked the C.W.U. president whether the impasse is any closer to being broken.  While he would not answer the question directly, Hyde told reporters that sitting at the negotiating table with the Port of Belize is a step in the right direction.

Evan ‘Mose’ Hyde, President, C.W.U.

“I know that getting around the table makes a difference.  It doesn’t matter how much we are disagreeing, the fact of the matter is that we are around a table.  So…”

Reporter

“Operationally, the status quo remains?”

Evan Hyde

“Operationally, we don’t know for a fact.  We know what our position is, that right now we are abiding by the CBA.”

Reporter

“One gang, one ship.”

Evan Hyde

“That’s our position.”

Reporter

“My question is, were today’s discussions in relation to the redundancy package or not?”

Evan Hyde

“The conversation was about how to move forward.  That’s the best I can say.”

Reporter

“How do you meet with people who have blatantly misstated the truth in a press release?  They have blatantly tried to scapegoat you all on a falsehood and also, they have shown no indication that they are in a position with which they seek to agree with the Essential Services Tribunal ruling?”

Evan ‘Mose’ Hyde

“Yeah, obviously ah noh gwein fi da one.  I have to just say that because of our obligations to our members, obligations to the public, obviously we cannot take a position of feelings.  We get hurt, you know, and because of that we won’t show up.  We have to show up, that’s our duty.”