President of the PSU, Dylan Reneau, said that workers could no longer tolerate any more tax increases or further reckless spending on the part of Government, and that the workers were not prepared to accept any increased tax measures, or new taxes. He explained that it was the presumption that GOB would be raising taxes, and GOB?s refusal to implement reform proposals, coupled with the union?s hard-line that they should get their third salary increment, which have driven the unions to the point where they feel they must picket in front of the National Assembly building tomorrow, to let the Government know that they are serious.

The eight union leaders who were present at today?s press conference all said that their unions were standing in solidarity with the NTUCB against the GOB?s implementation of additional taxes, whether it is in the area of revenue replacement, business tax or customs duties.

President of the BNTU, Anthony Fuentes, did say, however, that the only circumstance under which workers could tolerate a new tax or a tax increase would be if the GOB made the constitutional changes that the NTUCB has proposed, which are based on the Political Reform Commission?s Report (2000).

While the eight unions expressed their camaraderie under the banner of the NTUCB, president of the University of Belize?s (UB) student government, Moses Sulph, and another student government member, Phillip Willoughby, both had the opportunity to speak at the press conference.

Both Sulph and Willoughby said that the issues of taxes and the country?s balanced budget, or lack thereof, should be a concern for not only university students, but also for other students nationwide, regardless of their educational level. Sulph announced that UB students would be joining the unions in picketing in Belmopan tomorrow.

In addition, Sulph called on PM Musa to dialogue with the university students, who, Sulph said, are being affected by whatever decision GOB makes.

Reneau also noted that the NTUCB would be having an emergency meeting following the Prime Minister?s budget speech, so that they could decide in a collective manner what would be the best way forward, especially in the event of a heavier tax burden.

Fuentes informed the media and some other union members present at the press conference of the proposal that PM Musa, along with Ministers Jose Coye and Francis Fonseca, presented to the BNTU and the PSU on Tuesday in Belmopan.

According to Fuentes, GOB is proposing to give public servants and teachers a percentage of their third increment in July of this year, instead of April, the actual deadline when the third increment, of five and eight percent, is due in its entirety.

Furthermore, GOB is suggesting that in December, 2005, it could pay off back-payments for April, May, and June, and then spread the remainder of the increment over April, 2006 and April, 2007.

Fuentes said that the public servants and the teachers would not settle for anything less than what the GOB had promised them – their third increment paid in full by April, 2005.