And if he hasn't already, Luke Martinez will probably be signing that petition. That's because the NTUCB supports the referendum. Martinez says their reasoning is due to the consultations, which Minister Kareem Musa has said they have done with stakeholders. But it's unclear whether the NTUCB was not consulted, or simply that they feel the consultation was inadequate, since, today, Martinez was very cryptic when he gave his explanation for supporting the referendum:
Luke Martinez - President, NTUCB
"The National Trade Union Congress...so I don't know, we sent out a press release and it's very direct, I don't understand your question but I'll tell you..."
Reporter
"How you arrived at the position because it's all the unions who are ember and putting in their piece"
Luke Martinez
"Well we don't have to get into all the technicalities of how the NTUCB operate, the NTUCB is a democracy and we operate as any normal democratic organization but let me tell you..."
Reporter
"The PSU says they haven't taken a position yet on the matter."
Luke Martinez
"Yeah so I was telling you that when this bill was introduced in October, the NTUCB made its position and we were steadfast on consultation. Correct or wrong? You could go back to your clippings. And not only on that issue, one many issues, in fact all of the issues the NTUCB has been imploring upon the government to conduct reasonable consultations with this body. And when you talk to other interest groups or other social partners, they'll tell you the same thing. That we're requesting and we're adamant about reasonable consultations that need to happen in this country."
Courtney Menzies
"But Minister Musa has said they have done consultations with the unions, with the churches, with all of these stakeholders and he said that the bill has gone through two rounds of amendments, are you saying that this didn't happen?"
Luke Martinez
"The NTUCB has not been consulted."
Reporter
"Is that on you do because the invitation to the committee meetings at the National Assembly..."
Luke Martinez
"How you arrive..."
Reporter
"Did you make it a priority to attend a committee meeting at the National Assembly?"
Luke Martinez
"Sometimes, and I hope you all don't cut this, sometimes the media could be very ridiculous with their questions as if though we are not Belizeans, Paul. I don't need to answer that question."
Courtney Menzies
"But how did everybody else get consulted but you? If they made the effort then..."
Luke Martinez
"I'm saying I don't need to answer but I'm telling you that we are adamant about reasonable consultations, sister."
Reporter
"So what has happened is not satisfactory, that's what you're saying."
Luke Martinez
"You got it right."
Courtney Menzies
"Minister Musa has also said that the opposition, the NTUCB, all those calling for a referendum have not considered that the money for a referendum comes out of the taxpayers' purse."
Luke Martinez
"Everything comes out of the taxpayers' purse and we agree that in some cases, taxpayers money is not spent prudently but we believe that this is a good investment for the country."
Reporter
"Would you support the bill in a referendum?"
Luke Martinez
"I think you're asking this question prematurely."
