Leaders of the Trade Union Congress met with the Prime Minister at his office in Belmopan at 4:00 this afternoon. At newstime nothing had been released and little is known of the discussions or the outcome of the meeting.
What we do know is that the PSU today instituted industrial action. According to a PSU release, it has immediately commenced an indefinite go slow, work to rule. More than that, the Union is asking public servants to support a national demonstration on Friday in Belmopan to coincide with the House sitting where the new tax measures will be passed. We have confirmed that the UDP will also encourage its members to join that demonstration, making for what could be a volatile mix.
And on what moral basis will the unions strike? You may recall that last week, the Prime Minister said that they had no right to strike. Well in today's release, the Unions address that subject calling the Prime Minister's words, an attempt at intimidation. For justification of any possible strike the union points to its February 11th. Agreement with government which states that if there was no agreement on taxes, the Unions reserved the "right to protest."
