Photo: Leonora Flowers, new president of Christian Workers Union (CWU)
Leonora Flowers: “I’ve been a union member all my life … Justice is in my blood.”
BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 22, 2023
After five years, Evan “Mose” Hyde’s leadership of the Christian Workers Union (CWU) has come to an end. He was first elected to the post of president in April 2018 in a three-way race. At the end of his first three-year term, he was endorsed in an uncontested election. On Saturday, May 20, 2023, Hyde, who is transitioning into a role on the CWU executive board, was replaced by Leonora Flowers, 60 years old, during an election at the union’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at its Secretariat on Dean Street in Belize City.
Flowers was challenged by Marlon Middleton, the Chief Union Representative for stevedores; she received 220 votes while Middleton garnered 41. Also elected at Saturday’s AGM was Jeffrey Trapp, who won over Bruce Diaz to fill a vacant trustee post. The election was supervised by veteran trade unionist and attorney Cynthia Pitts.
Flowers retired in October 2022 from the Social Security Board (SSB) after 28 years. She considers herself a lifetime unionist, having advocated for aggrieved persons all her work life. She was the Union’s chief representative for SSB staff and told Amandala, ”Justice is in my blood.” She also served on the CWU executive board during the term of three past presidents. As such, she sees this new role as natural progression. Flowers told us she was encouraged to throw her hat in the ring by friends and SSB members, but also received great support from stevedores. She remarked, “Like all new roles, it will be a challenge, but I’m up for it. I have the members who are backing me. I’m not in it alone. I am going to be doing what my members want. The CWU has several different units. We have CBAs that have been outstanding for many, many years and we’re going to be working on those to get those completed.”
The CWU is currently under the cloud of two lawsuits from the Port of Belize Ltd. which employs stevedores, one of the Union’s units. Asked if she was deterred by that from running, Flowers told us “definitely not.” She said that they are not in any particular anguish about the lawsuits, and that they will discuss any matters relating to the stevedores at an upcoming press conference later this week. Asked about having to deal with Ashcroft Alliance-affiliated companies which employ some of their members, she said, “CWU is taking it on, and as the new president I am taking it on as well along with all the stevedores, and along with all the other units that we have. There’s no backing down on seeking justice for all our members, no matter who it is.”
Flowers thanked all the members who supported her and those who continue to support the CWU. She affirmed, “They know we are at a juncture where we are going to be taking on a huge task. There’s no fear. We are going to do this. This is still Belize and we are Belizeans. This is for the future of our children.” Flowers becomes the second female president of the CWU after Audrey Matura.
Though Hyde will no longer be at the helm of the CWU, he will still aid the union in a supporting role. At Saturday’s AGM, members unanimously voted to amend the CWU Constitution to allow for the creation of a new post of Special Advisor on the Executive Board which Hyde will fill. A Christian Workers Union press release stated that Hyde “was unanimously elected to fill this position, which provides an avenue for his continued involvement with CWU, given his wealth of experience which he has committed to share with the CWU Family. The new amendment facilitates seamless transfer of knowledge and guidance during transitionary phases.” In a recent interview Hyde told us, “I am committed to being a part of the Board.” He shared that juggling the CWU presidency and his media job was an extremely heavy load, and the change is “about making sure my input is more strategic and more efficient. It’s a wide Union and it’s a Union with actually 12 units now. I am currently involved with 5 CBA negotiations. So, the presidency is something that is going to be determined, but my participation in the struggle is not a thing that I will walk away from.”