The Port of Belize and the Christian Workers Union signed an historic
Collective Bargaining agreement a few weeks ago, but they've already
hit their first bump in the road: a stevedore has been fired, and the
CWU says it is going to trigger the dispute mechanism.
The Port of Belize Limited today terminated Stevedore Rodman Welch -
he's the one who pleaded guilty to breaking the glass in the Port's
security booth during the recent labour unrest.
One account says today at 2:00 when he went to the office to collect
his pay cheque, the Chief of Security attempted to serve him with the
letter of termination, however he refused to accept the letter.
Additional information is that he was scheduled to work tomorrow at
6:00am however given that he has been informed of his termination the
security has been informed not to allow him on the compound..
This account adds that "CWU representatives had also advised WELCH not
to accept the letter and to notify the Union, since they intend to
challenge it because it's not within the scope of the recently signed
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the parties."
This evening CWU President Mose Hyde told us, quote, "CWU intends to
trigger the grievance mechanism on behalf of Mr Welch, we do not
believe that PBL is being appropriate with its punishment. This
incident occurred in the aftermath of the tear gas/ rubber bullet
episode at the Port. CWU must also note that it's very puzzling that
PBL has decided to make it a public matter. It was not only enough, it
appears , to attempt to terminate Mr. Welch , but also to publicly
tarnish him." end quote.
We have learned that it was not PBL that made it public.
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