In a significant development for Belize’s labor landscape, the Belize Communications Workers Union (BCWU) has successfully negotiated the settlement of outstanding severance payments from Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) following a landmark Caribbean Court of Justice ruling. The breakthrough comes after months of strategic negotiations and contrasts sharply with the approach taken by a splinter labor group.
The dispute resolution process began in earnest after the November 5, 2025 CCJ decision that unequivocally affirmed Telemedia’s obligation to provide severance payments to affected workers. Contrary to claims made by the breakaway Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ), the BCWU maintained continuous engagement with both the company and broader labor institutions throughout the negotiation period.
Between November and December 2025, the union conducted intensive consultations with BTL management to align internal agreements with the judicial mandate. Simultaneously, the BCWU collaborated with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize to address concerning tax implications that could have diminished the value of severance packages for workers.
Following BCWJ’s January press conference criticizing the pace of implementation, the established union extended an olive branch, inviting the rival group to join formal negotiations. BCWJ reportedly declined this collaborative approach in favor of independent protest actions. After convening an emergency membership meeting, BCWU members democratically determined not to endorse the protests officially, though individuals retained the right to show personal support outside working hours.
The persistent diplomatic engagement yielded concrete results on February 17, 2026, when BTL formally committed to settling all outstanding severance obligations. The BCWU characterizes this outcome as a testament to constructive dialogue and respect for established labor relations processes, contrasting it with more confrontational approaches that risked destabilizing negotiations.