And going back now to the unions, tonight we can confirm that the union meetings seem to have abruptly ended a short while ago. Our team is still waiting for interviews, but BNTU president Elena Smith drove off.
For another perspective, here's what PM Briceno told his family's TV station in Orange Walk earlier this evening:
Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister "They supposed to have met this afternoon, I've not heard from them but for us it was important for the public to know we have been meeting almost every week with the unions since February and I could understand them taking the stand that they do not want a pay cut but the pay cut is inevitable simply because we don't have the money but we found innovative ways to trying to see how we can soften that blow and I am very hopeful and I believe that at the end of the day the unions will see that we have done as best as we can but we've reached the end, we can't continue endless negotiations and this is as best as we can do at this time."
Reporter "The unions have questioned why is that you are not in the negotiations. What would be your answer to that?"
Hon. John Briceno "Well, it's not a matter for me to be there, I have appointed a negotiating team and they represent me, they speak for me and then they report not only to be but also to cabinet. So in effect when they go and talk, they are talking on behalf of the government of Belize, so I don't think there is a need for me to be there but if there was an impasse and it was absolutely necessary for me to be involved, of course I would have done that, I would be happy to meet with them and after today and once things are normalized, I will be meeting with them. We are partners, we are working together, and I have believed that most public officers have the same vision for this country, they have the same intention and love that we have for Belize."
