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Min. Panton Says GOB Needs To Listen to NTUCB
posted (February 17, 2020)

As you saw those six demands are being squarely made to the Barrow Administration. And it’s an administration that’s on the ropes right now.  Its party leader elect was forced to step down last week as leader and to resign as minister in a cloud of scandal. 

And in the next 7 days, the party faces double protests: one from the National Trade Union Congress, and the other from the opposition PUP.

Today, UDP Area Rep Tracey Taegar Panton told us the NTUCB demands loom very large on the government’s agenda:

Hon. Tracey Taegar-Panton - Albert Area Rep
"I think we have reason to be concerned. And I think that as a mass party we need to certainly listen to the concerns of our social partners. If there are ways to address those concerns than I think we’re ought to. If we’re going to continue to lead this country, we have to take all those things into account. The protest by the PUP is certainly a political event. The opposition wants to get into power. They will do what they need to do but I think that the government has the duty, a responsibility, an obligation to hear out our social partners and to act accordingly where we can act."

Reporter
"They have put out a list of declarations, demands, 6 of them and they are saying there will be no elections until these 6 are met. Starting with campaign financing and finishing with independent investigation into wrongdoing by your former colleague, or your current party colleague, John Saldivar. You’ve seen the list?"

Hon. Tracey Taegar-Panton
"I have. Yes, I have seen the list."

Reporter
"Off hand or just as a "thin slice" reaction?"

Hon. Tracey Taegar-Panton
"Well, we haven’t discussed it collectively. I think that we will have an opportunity to do that tomorrow when we meet in Cabinet. And for us to address it, or agree on how we’re going to address those quote, unquote, "demands" or how at least we will convene a meeting with these social partners to work through those demands, so that we can hopefully reach some point of satisfaction."

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