The union leaders were there because the NTUCB made a call today to all
subsidiary union affiliates, to show support for Christian Workers
Union.
The unions are converging on the CWU's behalf under the principle that
if you touch one union member, you touch all.
The NTUCB President said it's more than symbolic:
Marvin Mora - President, NTUCB
"The decision to choose the Port came at the heels of what happened
yesterday. I think it was most unfortunate that we witnessed those events
of our brothers and or your sisters being carried in the way they were and
treated in a very inhumane manner by members of the authorities. That
prompted us to redirect our efforts here at Port because we believe that
these brothers and sisters need the support, and they need to understand
that they are not alone in this war."
Hon. Elena Smith - President, BNTU
"As a union, we believe in solidarity. And so, solidarity simply means that
you are showing support, you are there with the people who are hurting
because when your turn comes, you expect to have solidarity as well. So,
from our end, as BNTU, we are fully supporting the persons here at the
Port."
Evan "Mose" Hyde - President, CWU
"The part of the struggle is to deal with the real-life impact of this
crisis on men and women who are part of the staff, especially those who
have been identified as the ones to be declared redundant. To see this kind
of outpouring of support, I could see it in their faces, what it means to
them. And because I can see that it gives them a lift, that gives you a
sense of energy. Really, it's a big thing, and we have to say to all of the
union members, who support, and who came out and show their faces in
solidarity. In the immediate aftermath of what transpired yesterday, rather
than cowering away, rather than retreating to just writing a comment on
Facebook, these folks came down to the frontline, and have stood with them,
and is such a boost, and such a lift."
Marvin Mora - President, NTUCB
"As long as we don't feel that our brothers, every single one of the 36
that were terminated, and others inclusive of all the other issues that
they're fighting for, isn't being addressed properly by this company, we'll
keep on the pressure. And we will not keep on the pressure like this. We'll
continue to escalate this."
Other union members in Belmopan went to the Labour Office in the
capital city to protest and declare their support for the 36 workers.
The NTUCB is also demonstrating support for the University of Belize's
Faculty and Staff Union. As viewers are aware, the newly certified
union is attempting to look after the well-being of its members at the
university, which is facing massive budget cuts.
President Marvin Mora told us that he hopes that the University's
administration is being fair and honest in addressing the union's
concerns about the shared financial sacrifices that have to be made for
the next school year:
Marvin Mora
"Our position with our brothers at the university is similar to the
position that we have with the brothers here. We believe that in good
faith, and in order for things to progress. All those people in authority
need to come clean and need to present to the unions, and their leaders,
all the information that they are requesting. That seems to be the sticking
point. If you have nothing to hide, then why worry? Present the
information, so that process can move forward. If the university management
believes that they have everything as per the books, well then, open up the
books. I don't think that there will be any information in there that will
be so extra sensitive. We're not talking about a nuclear power plant, or
scientific research, as such. We are talking about a university that
belongs to the people of Belize."
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