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As we told you, the 150 stevedores walked off the job yesterday, fearing that ASR/BSI is going to take its sugar loading business to the Big Creek Port. But, Port CEO Arturo Vasquez says that's not happening right and claims he has yet to receive a letter from the union. Here's an update on the strike and the CEO's response.

Reporter
"We know that stevedores are some of the greatest financial earners from the community of the southside."

Evan "Mose" Hyde, President, Christian Workers Union
"I think our members fill themselves up with a lot of positive feeling and the mindset is that we will get what it is we came here for. What I think the question has to go to the broader community. It's a question that they have to confront. It's a question that leaders and aspiring leaders has to take on - take on the socio economic impact of the loss of earnings and we are talking about significant earnings and so because of that we say to the community this is not just a stevedore fight. This is not just the workers from the shed, it's not just their fight. It's a fight for this community's very survival. We are already struggling. The socio economic realities are already challenging and this will worsen it 10 times."

Reporter
"What does that do to Belize's economy?"

Evan "Mose" Hyde
"Well we are protesting and I think the question about what happens to the Belize economy is not a question on the shoulders of stevedores who are force to have to deal with survival. The Belize economy's reality is the caretakers of that who must look at resolving this in a way with speed. I have to chronicle all the efforts before we reach here. I have to chronicle the meetings that we have had with the prime minister, the meetings that we have had with Minister Tracey Taegar-Panton, the emails that we have sent, the meetings that we have had with the leader of the opposition - this union, these stevedores have gone about it responsibly, constructively and patiently, simply because we understand exactly that. So we never wanted it to reach here. We never want to create any situation where there might be some ripples with the flow of goods and commodities. This is how they make their money. They want to be here dealing with containers, make their money, take their money home and live their lives."

"So in every aspect the calculations that have resulted with this move have been done with a complete consciousness of that question that some point in time when your back is against the wall you have to stand."

Arturo "Tux" Vasquez, CEO, Belize Port Authority
"The thing here is that as of yesterday I honestly don't know what it is that I am supposed to respond to. Yesterday a press release was issued, but no letter has been written to me, so I am here wondering what it is that I should be responding to. I am assuming that the big issue is the BSI moving to Big Creek, which I also said on the news yesterday that that is not happening as yet, but granted BSI has the right to look at that option. Everybody knows that the way we are moving sugar is right is antiquated, it's very costly and even before 2017, 2017 was when the preferential prices for Belize stopped. Before that we didn't have to compete. So before 2017 these discussions were already on the table as to how can we improve that way of loading. Nothing has changed since. There are some stevedores who are prepared, some who are not. Threats have been issued. At the end of the day its unfortunate that they may believe that the longer the ship remains here it's better for them, but at some point the corporations will look at other efficient ways and again, there is really nothing I can do to stop BSI from looking from other options."

Reporter
"What would a prolong stevedore strike means for Belize's economy in terms of exports and imports?"

Arturo "Tux" Vasquez
"It could delay some importation. Exports, similar, but ahm it's not something that I like to say, but there is an option down south and I believe that is where I think we have to look at the bigger picture. Big Creek has put in some investments and they are becoming a possibility. I am hoping that is not the case, but certainly this can create some impact. But it's also important to note that a SI was passes where the stevedore should be giving a 21 day notice before they strike and that was put in place specifically for this same reason, for us not to have any unnecessary delays, but in this case that has not been done. I've written to the labour commissioner, they've been copied to the letters that I have sent to the union and the port commissioner, but nobody has taken any action as yet. So as of yesterday and today we haven't had any ships being worked. The one that came yesterday left this morning without being worked. I believe that ship will be looking at a different port to offload. We need to realize that we may think we are the only option, but we are certainly not the only option. Some of it might be a little more complicated, but at the end of the day these agencies have to find a solution. A ship yesterday did not offload, but all the deliveries are still happening. People are still getting their merchandise. Yesterday we had a regular day expect that the ship was not offloaded. Luckily it was a small ship, but yes it ha a bit of impact. Certainly, delays, a little bit of confusion, but nothing that I think was affecting the business as usual yesterday. As of today I don't know what today will bring. There is a ship anchor out here that is proposing to come in, but they are not too certain yet that they will come in. That is in the making right now to see what will happen with that. I have not heard from the unions as to whether they are on a strike or not, so I really don't know what it is that the next step will be."

The strike continues into tomorrow.