NTUCB Votes Against Proposed BTL–SMART Acquisition

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has voted against the proposed acquisition of Speednet/SMART by Belize Telemedia Limited.  The decision was taken during the NTUCB’s monthly General Council meeting held virtually on Saturday, where a majority of delegates voted “no” to the acquisition.  The NTUCB is the umbrella organization representing eleven trade unions nationwide, all of which were represented in the meeting and participated in the vote.  In an interview with Love News, NTUCB President Ella Waight said the vote followed extensive consultations with BTL, as well as discussions with other principals and stakeholders involved in the proposed transaction.  Waight explained that while unions understand the strategic importance of the telecommunications sector, members remain concerned about due diligence, regulatory compliance, and the protection of workers’ pensions, jobs, and consumer rights.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB: “A vote was held and a super majority voted to no at this time for the acquisition. That was the result of the meeting. We have been meeting with stakeholders, we met with the opposition, we met with social partners and the media to get an understanding of their concerns and obviously we met with BTL as well last week Saturday for their presentation as to why they feel the acquisition is important. But that information we have been providing the general council members via our WhatsApp group and email are the minutes taken from those meetings. So they were well informed throughout the process of these consultations. So Saturday at that meeting we didn’t have to go into that information they had already had it. But what we did open the floor to was for further questions or concerns that we may be able to answer as those persons who attended those meetings. Now we don’t have a counter solution. I don’t think that’s in our prerogative to do that. I think the immediate concern, and where we’re at right now, of course Starlink, the conversation has come up with Starlink, we brought up Starlink at the BTL meeting when they presented the proposed acquisition, we brought up Starlink and yes as other Belizeans have heard their position is obtaining Speednet would strengthen their defense against a Starlink concept. And maybe that is true but it is not enough for us to say that should be the reason to spend $80 million on Speednet. We’re not saying, I don’t think anybody at NTUCB is saying “no” forever because we know everything. We’re saying no, as the president really said, at this time and it’s a very strong no.”

Waight emphasized that the union movement believes any acquisition of this magnitude must strictly follow the law, including oversight by the Public Utilities Commission, and must involve meaningful national consultation before proceeding.  She further noted that union members are prepared to take a firm stance should the government moves forward with the acquisition without addressing the concerns raised by organized labour.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB: “We hope that with us saying no, and I repeat the answer is no acquisition at this time, our partners such as the BCCCI, the opposition, other stakeholders, the media saying no at this time we hope that they will ensure that they listen to us. Do not take this “no” lightly if there is an acquisition rushed in this country with BTL and Speednet. So whatever we need to do, we will do. We have been getting some legal advice and we have been strategizing with our stakeholders. We cannot allow this to be rushed and pushed down our throats. Let’s take the time to do it right. Let’s take the time to do it right and have these public consultations. Believe me, when we say we’re strategizing, we mean that if we have to put foot on the ground and if some of us have to get locked up in the jail cells for a while, we would stand up for this country if this is pushed down our throats at this time. So we encourage the government, we encourage BTL, if you’re really there, if you’re really there for the best interest of BTL, listen to us. Listen to us and provide us with the information and take your time. If this is good for Belize why the rush  ? Take your time. Let us do this together.” 

For now, the umbrella union says it remains committed to continued engagement, but insists that transparency, legality, and accountability must guide any final decision on the proposed BTL–SMART deal