But until the unions and the government manoeuvre through this stalemate, one decisive variable could come into play, and that's the issue of salaries being docked for being on strike.
In his late letter to the unions, the Prime Minister stated very clearly that Government will dock the salaries of all public officers who strike after May 14th.
But whether this is actually being implemented is still uncertain. Today, Flowers told us that that question would be better suited for the Ministry of Finance.
But while he didn't seem too concerned about the possibility of docked salaries, he told us that their fight against the 10% cuts is not over just yet, despite the budget being passed in both the House and the Senate:
Dean Flowers - First VP, PSU "That's a question for the prime minister and the minister of public service, that's not a question for me. I can tell you that for myself I don't think as public officers would say the eagle has landed, I don't think the eagle has landed, so no one is able to entertain whether or not a cut whether 10% or reduction of strike action has taken place or perhaps you would want to check with the accountant general and the payroll staff would be able to assist."
Reporter "How far are union members willing to go? Their salaries are being docked, the 10% pay cut that ship has sailed, there is no reverting back to it."
Dean Flowers "People power, only the people can save the people, so I think that the fact that we're already in this neck deep not waist deep but neck deep, I think we are prepared to do all the way. I don't know that the 10% has gone, I will say that the government has written and has passed a budget that factors that in, what we're saying is that that's our property and that's our legal property. In accordance with our terms and conditions of service, that's ours and if you're going to take it away then it must be negotiated, you cannot arbitrarily take away what's legally mine and so that is where we are that if and when you take it away that you ensure that you adequately compensate us. Nobody property can be taken away without compensation, none, that is not the law."
And in the case of salaries being docked indeed, the PSU is proposing fundraising events such as a telethon. And they're sure they will get the public's support and their money:
Dean Flowers - First VP, PSU "There's a lot of fund-raising efforts that are on the table and we will explore all of them."
Reporter "You think that you'll have the public's support? I mean they already lose 50%, in some cases they lost their jobs in others, do you think they will be willing to give you all money?"
Dean Flowers "That is for the public to decide, I keep saying that where this matter is concerned, people have their own opinions. We know that there are those who believe in our cause and we know that there are friends and sympathizers in the diaspora who believe in our cause and they are definitely friends and supporters in Belize who believe in our cause and we are certain that when we call on them to assist those teachers and public officers who are affected as a result of the strike action financially that we would get the support that we deserve."
Reporter "Do you think you are getting enough support?"
Dean Flowers "Well, I cannot say that my enough would be your enough, so all I can say is that we will get support."
