PHILIPSBURG:---:--- The members of the Fire and Ambulance Department strongly refute the statements released by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, which claim that the Prime Minister proposed a mediator to the Union. This misleading statement perfectly illustrates why the Union has repeatedly demanded a signed commitment letter—as truth remains a distant friend of this Cabinet.
Following a live press conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Union submitted a letter to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Fire Department's members. This letter reiterated that the members are tired of the ongoing back-and-forth and once again requested the appointment of a neutral mediator, as previously agreed on April 29, 2025.
It must be noted that when the Prime Minister was advised by his colleagues to turn the matter over to a mediator, he refused. Yet the latest narrative from his Cabinet now claims he is proposing a mediator, a claim that is both inaccurate and misleading.
The members will confer and indicate their mediator of choice, and thank the Prime Minister for his prompt response and for submitting a list of proposed candidates. However, the Union once again stresses the need for transparency and honesty throughout this process.
Furthermore, the press release issued on behalf of the Prime Minister contained information that was never discussed with either the members or the Union. Anyone reading that release would be led to believe that a roundtable discussion had taken place, which is false. While a letter was indeed sent to the Union President, the details reflected in the Prime Minister’s press release do not match the contents of that correspondence.
It is also important to clarify that nowhere in the letter to the Union President were there any statements indicating non-disclosure of the proposed mediators. The attempt to create such a narrative is misleading and adds unnecessary tension to an already delicate process. This constant distortion of facts has become tiring and deeply disappointing, particularly when coming from individuals in positions of leadership.
The lack of honesty and transparency is precisely what has brought this situation to its current impasse. Even as the parties move toward mediation, misleading information continues to circulate.
The members of the Fire and Ambulance Department remain committed to constructive dialogue and to finding a fair and lasting resolution in the interest of all parties involved.
As we advance, there will be no further communication to the media on this matter until it has been resolved.