Court orders temporary reinstatement of Perriott
B.T.L. has a new employee on the payroll tonight … and her name is Christine Perriott. This morning Supreme Court Justice John Muria agreed with Perriott’s attorney Lois Young, saying that “the power of this court to grant an interim remedy cannot be doubted.” He then approved the order for Christine’s temporary reinstatement to her post as a technician grade six in B.T.L.’s Internet Department with full salary and benefits. The order is retroactive to February twenty-eighth, the day after she was fired, and will last until the end of the trial when a ruling will be made on the substantive issues of the case. Outside the courtroom, an emotional Christine told the media that while they knew they took a risk applying for the order, she’s happy it paid off.
Christine Perriott, Granted Interim Reinstatement
“I felt it could have gone either way, but really, really reading the law I really couldn’t say but I just left it all to God and thank you Lord, he did it and he not only did it for me, but he did it for all workers of Belize, all unions, all workers.”
Khalila Enriquez, KREM Radio
“So you will back at work on Tuesday?”
Christine Perriott
“I guess that’s the day when I go back because they say it takes effect February twenty-eighth. I’m gonna have a good resurrection day, I’m gonna thank my Lord and back at work as usual.”
Jules Vasquez, 7 News
“This is only an interim victory. Do you have hope for the substantive case of full reinstatement?”
Christine Perriott
“Yes Jules. I do, yes I do. We knew that applying for this temporary reinstatement was a risk. It could have gone both ways and I did agree to take it, because like what Lois had said in the court, temporary reinstatement is just like a reinstatement, so I have a lot of confidence.”
In making his arguments against Perriott’s reinstatement, on Monday B.T.L. attorney Andrew Marshalleck pointed out that even if the request was granted, the company could simply turn around and fire her using the proper procedure. But according to Perriott, that won’t be an easy feat as her sixteen year employment record is exemplary. And while working for a company that was forced to rehire you might create tension, Perriott says that working in a male dominated occupation has prepared her for whatever she might face come Tuesday.
Christine Perriott
“Working in the field from day one, I have always struggled to always try to prove myself like the saying say, you work twice as hard just to be considered half as good. I have always had that, so from way back I have been setting myself at a pace and at a level that I will have those challenges. When it comes to my skills and work, my performance, man, four point four average out of the five speaks of it, but it’s not going to be any different for me going back under all circumstances, it’s not going to be any different.”
“Well they will have to do some real digging to fire me the right way because to fire me the right way would mean that you would have to make sure that I perform a one in my appraisal, which is incomprehensible on my behalf. I am a four point four performer. One is for a vegetable. Nobody performs at one at B.T.L. So if they are thinking of terminating me the proper way, they will have to prove that I am a one percent performer.”
In a bulletin sent to company employees today, B.T.L., while reiterating its belief that Perriott was lawfully terminated, said it would comply with the court order. That compliance, however, will involve putting her on “special paid leave” until the court makes its final decision. That leave means not only that she won’t report to work, but if she does, she will not be allowed on the compound. Furthermore, according to the bulletin, Perriott will receive no cash for at least twenty-five weeks from her February twenty-seventh termination, as the company is claiming that the almost twenty thousand dollars paid to her upon dismissal should apply toward her reinstated salary. To do otherwise, says B.T.L., would allow her to unjustly benefit. That view is not shared by Perriott, who pointed out that twelve thousand dollars of the money given to her was neither salary nor severance, but simply an ex-gratia payment, ex-gratia being Latin for “by favour” which in a legal context means it was given voluntarily without liability.
Christine Perriott
“I have not been paid my salary. What they gave me was what they say is due to me by law, my holiday and notice. I haven’t gotten any salary. As a matter of fact they haven’t fully paid me everything so they can’t say that they have paid me my salary. If they want to put me on an extended holiday with my salary pay well, that’s good too. I’ll welcome that.”
B.T.L. had fired Perriott, who as General Secretary of the Belize Communication Workers Union, was in the midst of negotiating a dispute with management over the dismissal of three other workers. The company said Perriott’s firing was due to a bad attitude and deterioration of her relationship with management. The B.C.W.U. called it a blatant case of union busting. No date has been set for the full trial, at which Perriott will be seeking permanent reinstatement to her post and unspecified financial compensation.
