In other news, on Tuesday, commuters were worried that they wouldn't be able to get to work the following day, since that was when the Belize Bus Association's 72 hour ultimatum would be up, and they had threatened to strike. However, the minister scheduled a meeting with them for Wednesday morning, which did placate them for the time being.
However, they had demanded that a press release be issued yesterday evening - which didn't happen. And then on Uncut last night, Thomas Shaw said he would be following up on it today.
But today has come and almost gone and still nothing. For context, we'll show you a snippet of last night's show:
Jules Vasquez, Host:
"At that time, you guys really did, you know, you immobilized the whole country. That's the Hector Creek Bridge one. You guys really did immobilize the entire country. You're laughing when you're seeing that."
Ewart Metzgen:
"It bring back memories."
Thomas Shaw:
"We don't really want to go there."
Ewart Metzgen:
"It would have been on steroids this time."
Thomas Shaw:
"We don't really want to take that step again."
Jules Vasquez, Host:
"But then how would you answer the thing, you threatened, they placate you with a meeting, they didn't put anything in black and white..."
Thomas Shaw:
"But Jules I explained to you that's why we're here nothing is off the table. Because if they don't put it in black and white, because Jules, what you see there, nothing is off the table, and I want to categorically state that we're never stronger than before because the bus association is in partnership with the joint unions, the NTUCB."
Ewart Metzgen:
"And when they ready to move we will move with them too on their thing. So when they decide to move with their cause, the bus association will be right there with them."
Jules Vasquez, Host:
"But let me be clear on that. You all say that you have a common cause with the joint unions who are demanding their increments..."
Ewart Metzgen:
"So we will work with, they decide they call on us, we will stand abreast with them, side by side with them."
Jules Vasquez, Host:
"So you all are keeping live your threat of..."
Ewart Metzgen:
"It's still not over."
Thomas Shaw:
"Not because, Jules you could come tell me, I will give you the money. Tomorrow come, Jules where is my money? Wait tomorrow. Jules, you tell me you will give me today. So the bottom line is they called me yesterday evening and it would be unfair if I didn't attend the meeting because really and truly we got something, I won't say we got it, but we agreed and I hope it materializes but I told them I wanted a press release, told them I want it in black and white, I want everything we mentioned in that meeting be released..."
Jules Vasquez, Host:
"But I thought the press release was to be this evening."
Thomas Shaw:
"We told them this evening."
Jules Vasquez, Host:
"Well, this evening done."
Thomas Shaw:
"This evening done but I know that because, when I came out, I had another meeting, and I came out of that meeting after 5, and honestly I left belmopan almost 6 to reach here. So I'm going to see with that due to the fact that the Secretary already left, and all of that."
Jules Vasquez, Host:
"So you all expected that tomorrow?"
Thomas Shaw:
"Tomorrow won't pass, because I'll be the first one to call them tomorrow, I want see the press release."
Tonight in a WhatsApp message, Shaw said, quote, "It's not over as yet, I haven't seen or heard about the press release, so we're not going back to the drawing board." End quote. When we asked if there will be a strike, Shaw told us he would keep us posted.
