And together is how they have to tackle the thorny issue of pension reform. The era of non contributory government pensions may finally be coming to an end. It couldn't last forever - and the PM said both sides have agreed in principle on reform:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"When it comes to the issue of the pensions that is unsustainable. And we have had a number of discussions with the unions, and the unions have already agreed in principle that the pension as it stands now unsustainable and that we are coming up with an agreement as to where is going to be the cut off date as to Who will stay on the present system and who will come off on the new system?"
Jules Vasquez
"The new system of pension?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"The new system of pension yes and so we are committed to it and that has not changed."
"As I said, they have already accepted the principle and they have accepted that we will change. They know that it is unsustainable at the rate it is going I think by next year or the year before it's going to be at $125 million and it continues to balloon. I remember when the then Prime Minister Musa and I spoke about it. I think it was around 2004 it was around $30 million and we said we needed to do something about it. Unfortunately other events took over and we were unable to address it. The previous government for whatever reason chose not to address it. we are addressing it. It is not an easy one. It is not going to be a walk in the park, but we believe that there is enough Goodwill on both sides. Both ends the unions and the government for us to be able to find a sustainable solution to this problem."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it something you plan to do before this term of office ends?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"My expectation is that we should be able to have it before the end of this, the end of our government."
Jules Vasquez
"It won't be a popular thing you might lose votes, sir."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Sometimes you have to do what is the correct thing."
