Butane importers strike to get $19 increase

And while members of the public have been wrapped up in the case of the missing fishermen, tonight there are disturbing reports that come tomorrow no one will be able to buy butane. Following meetings in Belmopan this afternoon, all importers and distributors have decided to go on strike until Government agrees to a nineteen dollar increase on the commodity. According to our sources, while the industry accepts that the price hike is dramatic, for the last three months rising acquisition costs have not been factored into the pricing mechanism and importers have had to make up the difference of five dollars or more a month. They have decided they are unable to continue working under those conditions and after several failed attempts to resolve the situation, the retailers opted to take drastic action. The members of the Butane Association have planned to meet at the Princess Hotel tomorrow to draft a statement to the public to further explain their decision.