Unions meet with Prime Minister: another counterproposal tabled

The anticipated meeting between the Joint Negotiating Team, representing the Belize National Teachers Union, the Association of Public Service Senior Managers and the Public Service Union, met with Prime Minister Barrow today in Belmopan. Today’s second round of discussions on the issue of salary adjustment started at about ten this morning and concluded around four o’clock. While there were no birthday cakes this time around, the platform was also used to explore alternate means through which revenue collection can be increased since it is critical to the government’s initial proposal to grant salary adjustments if there is a growth or surplus in revenue in 2014.  The outcome of the meeting has been kept confidential, but News Five understands that it resulted in the resolution of several key issues pertaining to the collective bargaining agreement, but the main hitch remains over when and if salary adjustments will be given to the unions. According to a reliable report, another counterproposal has been tabled by the government in response to the unions’ latest proposition for the adjustments to take effect in 2013.  Details of that offer, however, remain undisclosed and the unions are only saying that they will speak after meeting with their members. One main issue the unions are banking on is the potential of a recent oil find which can significant boost the economy and government coffers.