And while the union president is rarely shy to wade into any matter of public interest, he played it slightly cagey when it came to the case of Senator Eamon Courtenay. Courtenay is under attack for working for the Ashcroft Alliance in going after the government's assets, while at the same time representing public interests as a PUP Senator.
But, Courtenay is also the attorney for the BNTU - in the ongoing matter of their strike wages - which went to court this morning. That's when we met Palacio and he was in no mood to entertain the suggestion of any bias on his part.
Reporter
"That has led to the government, not only the UDP calling for the removal of lead opposition senator Eamon Courtenay. Is that something that the BNTU has studied to make a comment on?"
Luke Palacio, President - BNTU
"No, we've not studied it and therefore I cannot make a comment on it. The legal minds would be the best persons to deal with that."
Reporter
"But as it relates to the lead opposition senator, that appears to be a conflict of interest."
Luke Palacio, President - BNTU
"That's your opinion. Again, I am not going to respond to that, because I have not studied the matter in any great detail."
Reporter
"Not because he is the senior counsel representing the BNTU in the matter against the Ministry of Education?"
Luke Palacio, President - BNTU
"My friend listen, the legal counsel is - that is his job. Why when attorneys represent certain entities and it becomes a matter of a political expediency, you hear all kinds of comments. Our attorneys have represented murderers. Our legal persons have represented ministers of government who have been accused of wrongdoing. So why is it now that the senior counsel Courtenay representing the BNTU is now a political issue? It cannot be. That is his job. He takes on cases. So I don't know what the fuss about."
The case of the Teachers Union versus the Ministry of Education was to come to a close today, but it was adjourned until next week Tuesday.
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