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We'll have that shortly, but first to the news of the day. The two sides, Government and the Unions are getting close. That's after the Prime Minister sent the Unions a signal yesterday that he is willing to index a pay raise to a surplus in the current account. He said that on WAVE Radio and the Unions today told us that now he is talking their language:

Jose Castellanos, President APSSM
"Yesterday the Prime Minister said that he would be willing to link the adjustment to the surplus and give us a portion for that surplus. If that is the case we are prepared to work on that basis. If we had been made that offer at our last meeting in January we wouldn't be here where we are today because that time they were simply saying no to everything. That's what we were looking for - for tangible measures where we can link our adjustment because we are talking about next year and not this year. Next year we won't be in a deficit, we will have monies to save and continue to increase our foreign reserves. We are heartened by that position. We are hoping that we can have an amicable solution and have a win-win situation for both of us."

"Going into strike is a lose-lose situation for both of us. We don't want to be in that situation, so we are hoping that we could have a workable solution among government and the unions."

Luke Palacio, President BNTU
"The Prime Minister had ask that we go to a meeting at this point because of where we are. We are saying that we are prepared to meet with the Prime Minister after the demonstration and if matters can be resolved like brother Castellanos said - if they are prepared now to sit down and listen to our proposals and of course give us something tangible. We don't want a pie in the sky promise. We want something tangible because we have figures."

Reporter
"Sir, are you prepared to take a less percentage if the government were to offer a less percentage than the 10% over the 3 year period that you are requesting?"

Luke Palacio, President BNTU
"That is what negotiations are for and like I said they have said out-rightly no, so no, that is not negotiations - I cannot be negotiating with you when you tell me no - this is my position - that is what stands. We are saying we are prepared to sit down, we are prepared to dialogue, we are prepared to negotiate because we have our counter-proposals as well."

Jules Vasquez
"How would you answer the criticism that: okay the Prime Minister has extended the olive branch, says he is prepared to negotiate but you all are leveraging the situation by insisting on your having your demonstration next week."

Luke Palacio, President BNTU
"We are just being as determined as you'd be Jules to get answers from somebody you are questioning. We have our position, we are standing our position, we are saying that we welcome that but the reality is, you cannot be speaking from 2 sides of your mouth; only on Tuesday you said no to the raise."

Reporter
"After Tuesday the meeting with the government fails to come to any agreement. When will you go on strike actually?"

Luke Palacio, President BNTU
"I believe we will discuss that and we will cross that bridge when it comes to that time."