3 Days Until Strike at BTL


The Belize Communications Workers Union held a general membership meeting this evening at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. This comes after union leaders met yesterday with BTL's management and the Labour Department. While we're unable to ascertain what was discussed in the meeting, we do know that there was no significant break through. President of BCWU Paul Perriot told us that this evening's meeting is to inform the union of the situation and plan for the imminent strike.

Paul Perriot, BCWU President
"What we are trying to do is update the membership as to what happened in the meeting yesterday and chart our course as to where we move from here. Right now it is like day to day. We are on this countdown towards this 21 days of industrial action or strike action and we're trying to do an update as to where we are and where we go."

Alfonso Noble,
Has anything changed significantly as to how it was a couple days ago?

Paul Perriot,
"Umm I wouldn't say that it has changed. I believe that in good faith we're at the table. I think the Labor Commissioner has asked for that at least, for us to sort of try to talk this thing out and to see where we go. We have to wait to see what will be the end result of that meeting or the subsequent meeting which has been set for tomorrow. The countdown is still on and we made that quite clear yesterday in the meeting and as I said, I believe that the Minister of Labor knows that, the Labor Commissioner knows that, and I think what they are trying to do is trying to operate in the interest of time before the 21 days expire."

Alfonso Noble,
Are you all going to be having any significant headway in the next for days?

Paul Perriot,
"Well better late than never I would say but it is, in our opinion, late because it puts us in a bind as to how we have to try and make quick decisions and making quick decisions are not the best decisions when it comes to that stress period. So we just need to see what will come out of the next meeting I believe and the membership also has to give us a directive as to where we move from here."

For those keeping count there are now 3 days left before the 21 day notice of industrial action expires. Trying to forestall that, tomorrow there is another meeting scheduled with the Labour Ministry and BTL's management.

Thanks for posting this. Anyone expecting to travel to BZE during this time should bring extra cash. Not being able to utilize ATM's and credit card machines can be a bit of a mess, to put it lightly. Otherwise, I would think not MUCH else would be affected - from a tourists perspective.

I'm going to be arriving in Belize on Sat., just in time for the strike? Without being able to rely on crredit cards, I and many other peopple are going to have to carry alot of cash and travellers checks. When you plan a stay for 3 weeks that's alot of cash. Hope they settle tomorrow.

Marty, Thanks for posting this info. TQ, I will be arriving in San Pedro on Saturday, When I pass through Houston will you meet me at the airport with some cash so I can party? Bring a lot (drinking problem here) . All my money is in the Alliance bank and I will not be able to withdraw it with my Alliance ATM card . After all I helped you get the 1 mil from jeff.....Remember!! I guess my belize cell phone will be usless

2miles, will be in Aruba this weekend so meet me there!!! However, they have casinos there, and I hear they serve drinks too, so I believe I will be tapped out! So sorry! :P

Still awaiting the 1 mil... Put a bug in his ear, will ya?

Jeeeeez,TQ, I thought you had the moooola already. Carefull in Aruba, That Howard K.Stern guy is single again you know. I guess I will just have to sell coconuts to survive this trip. Maybe Pedro1 will let me have a tab at his place, I heard he's easy like that... Have fun in Aruba....Sorry for the hijack Marty.

Hell 2M -

If you go to P1's, I'll just have him put your 1st 3 rounds on MY tab!!

ok, what is BTL and why would a strike their affect ATM cards and credit cards?

I'm arriving over the weekend and this kind of troubles me.

BTL is the national telecommunications company. If service is disrupted, credit card transactions will not be able to gain authorizations from the Visa/MC.AmEx networks. Most vendors will not want to accept CCs without approved network authorizations.

Cash folks....bring cash. Sheesh. When I worked in the Balkans that was all that was accepted. Made me feel rich there for awhile. Step out of your comfort zones and realize that these strikes are a way for the good belizean folks to give the big middle finger to the arses in Belmo and the monopolies that are given sanction to exist.

Up yours Ashcroft.