An amicable solution to an ongoing crisis within the Christian Workers Union has been met, following a lengthy discussion this afternoon with representatives of the nine entities that comprise the association. The union, led by President Antonio Gonzalez, sat down with its membership, in the presence of Labor Commissioner Ivan Williams, to iron out a number of issues presently affecting the CWU. Among them are serious concerns over the union’s financial statements, as well as the election of new executives. Since the beginning of Gonzalez’s tenure, over a decade ago, there has been no accounting of monies paid to the union. In fact, the CWU has been operating without a treasurer for quite some time. These concerns recently came to light, amid claims by stevedores that Gonzalez and General Secretary James McFoy, as negotiators, were failing to properly represent them during discussions with the management of Port of Belize Limited regarding a Collective Bargaining Agreement. While those deliberations have temporarily come to a standstill, the union will now proceed with an election to be held in October, following a forensic audit exercise.
Antonio Gonzalez, President, Christian Workers Union
Antonio Gonzalez
“There will be an AGM, or what we call a congress, a convention, come the twenty-sixth of October and that there will be financially audited statements before that so that it is taken up to the convention. But, as I mentioned in my earlier statement, I will not be seeking any re-election. So, I just hope and I know the stevedores are strong, and the stevedores are showing that they are interested in their union and by going this route I think that the CWU will be standing firm and steadfast at protecting their workers and employees. I know that they will continue in that route and Brother Pitter and Brother Rivers they deserve to be congratulated. Based on what we did today, within the CWU, I believe that that suspension will be lifted and we’ll resume membership with the N.T.U.C.B.”
James McFoy
James McFoy, General Secretary, Christian Workers Union
“We asked for a meeting with some of the areas that we represent for them and they showed up and we explained everything that took place and we concede that some of the things that they were concerned about are indeed genuine and we as, you know, the letters which they brought to you all that Mr. Gonzalez wrote saying that, yes we acknowledge, we agree but we are prepared to rectify and correct. This meeting was to put that forward and it was just like negotiations that I know [which] stevedores normally operate under hence the reason why at this time we cannot conclude the Collective Bargaining Agreement.”
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