| Luke Says PM Called From A Private Number |
| Fri, January 24, 2014 |
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| For the past three weeks we've shown you the teachers' rallies. It seems that the entire movement was given impetus when the Prime Minister made a mistake in his new year's message and said that the raise of pay would be effective in August and not July. It was a mistake, but one the union's took to heart as a demonstration of bad faith in ongoing negotiations. The PM said it could all have been avoided if Union President Luke Palacio had taken his call on the morning before he had a press conference. The PM said he even left a voice mail. Today Palacio gave his side of the story.
Luke Palacio, BNTU President
"The salary adjustment issue became an issue because the Prime Minister in his new year's message indicated that the salary adjustment would be effective August and we the teachers are saying that is what we have been negotiating. And the Prime Minister I guess in the House or to the media had indicated that he tried calling me - that is true. But I was Open Your Eyes, he want to call me 5 - 6 -7am in the morning with a restricted number. He also then left a voice message. But what had happen that same Monday we were having our press briefing, so again my phone was off. On Tuesday I clarified on Channel 5, to be exact with Isani Cayetano, who said that the Prime Minister had mentioned that he had informed that it was a mistake. I guess my good friend Jules, where is he. I guess Jules called him and say look, the teachers say you didn't tell them anything - you didn't apologized, so he gave an exclusive interview to Jules - you have my back and I have your back, because If I didn't have your back I would have said what I am saying. And so yes I told Isani that the Prime Minister has indicated that it is a genuine error on his path, but we want it in writing. We cannot be flip flopping here; one day it's July and the next day it's August and back and forth."
At today's rally, the Union said that the Prime Minister has invited them to a meeting next week. We could not confirm this with the PM's office.
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