Well, the unions don't want to hear it, and today the NTUCB issued a statement saying that it will, quote "support activities aimed at raising the consciousness of the Belizean populace to this issue." Do those activities include a possible strike? That's what our colleagues at PLUS TV asked President of the NTUCB Dylan Reneau today:..

Reporter
"So then this means that the NTUCB will support the BNTU if its goes on sustain this strike?"

Dylan Reneau, President - NTUCB
"The NTUBC will support the Belize National Teachers' Union, the Public Service Union, and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers in whatever action they intend to carry out."

Reporter
"Is the NTUCB satisfied in the legitimacy of GOB's position that the country simply cannot afford to pay?"

Dylan Reneau, President - NTUCB
"It's a matter of negotiation. Being satisfied? Certainly not because the last time we got a salary increase approval was in 2000, and that would have been prior to 2000, although it was implemented the last tranche implemented in 2005. We have had this situation where the middle class has been losing ground, is basically being narrowed. So we realize that it's time to make this stance, because we have been trying to negotiate for the past four years. These unions have been trying to negotiate, and it has come to this impasse. Now we have this Super bond. We have the payments for BTL and BEL in the near future. So when will we ever get satisfaction with our collective bargaining agreement?"

Reporter
"Would you prefer a increment rather than a tax increase?"

Dylan Reneau, President - NTUCB
"Well that's a very interesting question. I know that Government has been attempting as much as possible to hold down taxation, and we give then kudos for that, but at the end of the day they can;t stop inflation, and that is what is affecting our disposable income. Certainly economists can find ways, and I know we have some very brilliant economists in the Ministry of Finance that can find ways for us to balance this situation."

Reporter
"Now you recent position on this whole thing; will you urge other unions to join behind this effort?"

Dylan Reneau, President - NTUCB
"As I explained to you the general council is made up of all the unions in Belize and so all of them are already behind this situation. I think government needs to take it very seriously because you know how we can be very disruptive and I think the unions took this position simply because of the intransigent position of government."

The teacher's mass demonstration is set for a week from tomorrow in Belmopan.