The Port of Belize is not receiving cargo ships yet, but it could open this weekend. However, the Port workers came off strike, and things did start to get moving today. Customs brokers were able to clear containers that had been sitting for over a week. Those brokers were also forced to pay storage fees for the days lost to the strike - costs which they say will ultimately be passed unto consumers.
Meanwhile, the Vanquish container vessel remains anchored off the coast of Belize City this evening, waiting for the stevedores to get back to work. The Port management, Shipping agents and importers are crossing their fingers, while talks continue at this hour between the Port of Belize and the Christian Workers Union. A press release from the CWU says, quote, "Stevedores in two unanimous votes, decided not to return to work without a signed CBA."
Those talks to hammer out that collective bargaining agreement started yesterday at 4:00 in the evening and continued until 2:30 in the morning. We are told much progress was made, and they resumed today at 1:00 pm at the Biltmore Hotel.
The best hope is that by midnight tonight - they can be close to finalising that collective bargaining agreement that has been unresolved for 16 years.
The union release says, quote, "CWU acknowledges that progress has been made. Erroneous reports of Stevedores resuming work might have been prompted by the decision taken by PBL Staff yesterday to return to work, as a good faith gesture. The PBL Staff decision includes two conditions: that PBL reinstates the 29 CWU Members who were terminated on July 22, 2020; and that PBL concludes a new CBA for its Staff within 21 days, on August 28, 2020." End quote.
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