B.N.T.U Says Its Position is not Political

Caliz mentioned that she needs to meet with the union’s executive team to give them an update. When asked if the government’s quick response was influenced by the upcoming general elections, she clarified that the B.N.T.U.’s stance is purely about the issues at hand and not political.

 

Nadia Caliz, President, B.N.T.U.

“After meeting with the government, I’ll then meet with my council to update my council and then we will know how we proceed from there.  But let me reiterate this point, we are very happy that government is making progress, they have addressed the issue of the outstanding increment, especially for those for 2023, 2024 and 2022-2023.  I’m quite certain of those two years.  We are only concerned about the others who have been coming to us about, you know, waiting.  2015, I haven’t gotten it, 2017 and all those years.  There are outstanding years beyond the frozen years.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“Cynics would easily argue that this has to be rectified ahead of general elections coming in 2025.  How do you respond to that?”

 

Nadia Caliz

“Well when we met with Minister Hyde on Saturday, I have to say this, he made reference to this is the season that everybody comes after the government because elections are around the corner.  For the BNTU, this has nothing to do with elections being around the corner and it would be very nice for government to solve it before then.  But if you look at the current state of affairs, I would say only somebody who cannot reason will not be able to predict in which direction elections will go.  Everybody wants stability.  If you look at the parties and the persons offering themselves, if you look at who is more stable, who is more organized.  I don’t think what we’re doing will have any impact on any election.  What we’re doing is ensuring that teachers get what is right.”