So, on social media, and on their own UDP media house, the Government's agents are on a full-court offensive against Luke Palacio, and the BNTU's Council of Management. They're insisting that Palacio and those branch leaders are pursuing a PUP agenda.
Perhaps preparing for the backlash, Palacio launched his own offensive when he appeared on the labour-friendly KREM TV's "Wake Up Belize" Morning talk show. He was there to make BNTU's case to the listeners and viewers, explaining why theirs a morally righteous fight on behalf of the Belizean public.
When he came off the air, he also told us why losing classroom hours is not a case of the union trying to be unfair to you or your children.
Here's how he explained it:
Luke Palacio - National President, BNTU
"We listened to the Prime Minister's address to the Nation, and we have countered most of what he had said. We're asking this nation to be focused, to remain focused. Don't be misled. We are seeking for good governance for all Belizeans. We are seeking good governance for our children. We're seeking good governance for the future of this country, and we are not going to back down because the Prime Minister has insisted that we back down. We have indicated that we are asking our teachers to stay out of class on Monday, October 3, and that is the action that we are pursuing. We are also hoping that the other social partners will find it within themselves for us to come and meet. Let us sit down and discuss because the issues we are raising are issues that they too have raised. And when the Prime Minister makes his effort - or attempts - to try and divide and conquer the different social partners, the different organizations in this country, then it is a sad day for this country. When you speak of unity, when he speaks that he wants people to be united in support of his party and his agenda, yet he wants to come now and try divide this nation, divide persons who are feeling the pinch of what is going on in this country, then it is time for all of us as Belizeans, if you truly love Belize, we are going to do what it takes to right what is wrong. We're all going to come together to ensure that the mantra that the BNTU is standing up for "Stand Up for Belize" and for good governance, we know. Belizeans in general know that we are not on the right track. We are not - our country is not going down the right road. Our country needs to be brought back."
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