As we told you just before the break - the meeting of the Government and the lion union negotiating team finished at about 6:00 pm. They were there finding out if and when they'll get their pay cuts reinstated.
Daniel Ortiz was there and he spoke to the presidents of the PSU and the BNTU. Here's the interview from a few minutes ago:
Elena Smith, President, BNTU
"I would not say we are satisfied, because you all know that we had requested a number of documents and we have to now review what we have based on what was presented and see as I said before exactly what is there and so we believe that there is more information that we would need to properly assess the situation and to determine where we are in relation to how we are doing."
Reporter
"In terms of the picture presented as to the country's economic performance, Mr. PSU president, sir share your thoughts with us how good or how bad is the country's finances recovering?"
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
"It depends on which perspective you look at the current indicators or numbers. The budget as was presented last year, base on the numbers, the current fiscal position of the country is that they are performing well, or at least they superseded what was budgeted for this period that we looked at. But again, if you are somebody who is analytical, you can look at it from two perspectives. You can look at a historical perspective, in terms of how those numbers were on both the revenue and expenditure side and see if where we are is as a result of growth, or recovery, or improvement in our tax collection and prudence in spending. You can look at it from that perspective and do an analysis and say is this as a result of good fiscal management or is this as a result of under budgeting. Hence, the reason why the good sister said there is some additional information we want to look at. But, just on the surface of things, the budget is well on course in terms of achieving a balanced budget. I want to state, of course, we had some observations and we were not too pleased when we looked at some of the supplementals that were passed. There are additional supplementals that we were informed are expected to be passed before the fiscal year is out. Those things do impact on the economic situation of the country and on the budget as it relates to the commitment that government made to public sector workers. And so, we just have to wait and see how that conversation goes on the sixteenth of February."
We also asked the two Union Presidents for their opinion on a realistic prospect of the early end of that salary cut:
Reporter
"Is there in your minds based on the information presented an arguable case for the return of the salaries that were taken away at the start of this fiscal year based on the information you all have privy to see?"
Elena Smith, President, BNTU
"I think when we meet on the 16th we would be in a better position to make that determination. Based on what we received today, we don't want to pre-empt anything and make such a statement. I think we want to look forward to further analysis and then make a determination after February 16th meeting."
Reporter
"Do you get a sense of resistance or at least the suggestion that this is not the time or we are anywhere near to that place?"
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
"I think you are framing your question in a different way, but as sister Elena said the meeting today was fruitful. I think it's important that we make mention of that and as I said to the government's side, I think they did an excellent job in trying their best to answer our questions and to provide as much information as they possibly can. However, there is always additional information that we have a right to view and that we have requested. Like I said it's really difficult for us to make pronouncement at this point in time to the general public as to whether or not there will be any return of that, I think today is too early. What's important for us is also remember is that the government's undertaking there was also a commitment to a performance bonus in there and so that is also another matter that we have to look at as we near the end of the fiscal year."
