But even if the unions accept today's proposal, that's not the end of the road for the BNTU. They have a CBA to work out with the government, which covers a range of other issues, including an increment that was frozen back during the Barrow administration. Caliz explained more.
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU:
"We have agree that we will deal with that under the CBA. See, what members need to understand and the country needs to understand. We have a collective bargaining agreement coming up shortly and we have a number of things that we need to address; tax reform, allowances. There are a number of serious issues. There is a series of other issues. What we're doing now is what you call a short term demand to address inflation and that's what we dealt with."
Reporter:
"Because there there are a series of other issues and you garnered support from the general public where those other issues are concerned. How concerned are you that if you take this proposal you lose support from the general public."
Nadia Caliz, President, BNTU:
"This is what i want to say to the public. You see the other issues we are talking about those are under the CBA right so we can't run away from that. And the CBA isn't something that you just snap your finger and you address and the public needs to understand that."
"The other thing is that while we acknowledge the support and we thanked them very much for the support and we pray that they continue to support us. The decision of the 4.5 and the 4 is up to the membership of the unions, that is key and if they accept that then you don't hate them for it, you don't go against them for that if they accept that. Because there are other issues on hand that we have to address to the CBA that we need to begin like yesterday to deal with."
"For me my teachers are talking about class size. Those allowances that they're getting is nothing alright. And we are taking about tax reform, all of those things those things are very important and we need to get to the table to address those things."
"I don't want to public to think that when my membership decide that this is what they want that they are selling out. Nobody is selling out. There are too many issues to address and we have to address them"
And now while the government anxiously waits, the unions will be going back to their membership to get a vote as soon as possible and will decide their next step forward.
