Luke Palacio Says Meeting Cannot Happen Right Now

B.N.T.U. President Luke Palacio also gave a response to the proposed meeting with the P.M. He explained that the three unions must meet to set a date, but there are complications that will postpone the eventual meeting. He also clarified Tuesday’s statement which seemed to suggest that the Union was backing down on the salary adjustment being deferred to next year.

On the Phone: Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U.

“What I said at the meeting and what I said in the interview was that there is the B.N.T.U.’s position in the union saying no to the deferral remains the same. Yes, two unions have agreed and therefore I cannot even say to you right now what is the reason for the Prime Minister requesting…any details. Because he has said the reason why he would like to meet with us—to discuss the matter of the deferral of the salary adjustment and time is of the essence and government would like to resolve—something to that extent because I do not have the letter in front of me. I have spoken to the president of the P.S.U. and he received a similar letter. In the case of the A.P.S.S.M., my understanding is that she is out of the country so we will have to wait until she returns and then the three union negotiating team would meet then and agree on how we proceed from there.”

Reporter

“But in terms of the B.N.T.U., that position has not changed. You are still against deferring the adjustments?”

On the Phone: Luke Palacio

“We are not…we do not agree to the deferral; that’s our position. No to the deferral and that remains our position.”