And while the new backbenchers are holding their cards close to their chests, the unions are not so subtle. They say they will not support any new taxes, and they stand ready to activate a plan B.
Dylan Reneau, PSU President
"Our position has not changed. Certainly as we reported at the press conference yesterday after the National Assembly meeting, the House meeting, we will have special emergency meetings to basically put into force what we have planned already. So we will analyze what was given at the budget and then we will take some actions."
Jules Vasquez,
Well there is a $47 million increase in business tax and a $27 million increase in environmental tax which will all sort of be pinned on to the price of goods you and I buy in the store which will all affect the money that is the pockets of your unionists. Just looking at that, is that something that you all are prepared to support, to endorse?
Dylan Reneau,
"What I would say to that is that the Prime minister basically masked what he said to cover up, at the end of his speech to say that he consults with the people etc, etc. Well Mr. Prime Minister as we've said before enough is enough and now you will have to deal with the unions and see how strong how we are to deal with this issue."
Jules Vasquez,
The Opposition is endorsing a national shutdown. They say it is unacceptable that a citizenry should be made to pay for errors and excessives of a government, which they characterize as out of control. Are you all prepared to work with the Opposition if they want to organize some national immobilization?
Dylan Reneau,
"This is a union thing. The workers of this country are tired of this country."
Anthony Fuentes, BNTU President
"I must say that as a member of the NTUCB we are totally disappointed in the Prime Minister and the government of Belize for raising taxes. At our press conference yesterday all 8 unions of the NTUCB stated categorically that we did not want any new taxes or any more taxes in this country. The NTUCB made recommendations to government. We presented these recommendations to government with ways how they could save money in order for them not to increase taxes on our already heavily taxed Belizean population."
It's notable that the unions did not appear with a great number of supporters today and their crowd is estimated at 200 persons. But they say they stand ready to effect a mass mobilization of their memberships. And in that vein, this evening at 5:45, 4 hours after those somewhat cautious interviews, the NTUCB sent out a stern release. It says: "we are declaring that we are not in agreement with the tax increases...and we are calling on the government of Belize to seriously reconsider and rescind its position...or face the consequences." It goes on to say "we hereby inform the government that we will be taking serious action immediately." What that means, we can't quite say at this point, but we wait and see next week.
