The Minister of Health reported that negotiations with the Nurses Association is close to completion. The successes with the ABUT formed the basis for the conclusion of the negotiations. Negotiations with several other unions, whose membership numbers are smaller, will soon commence. However, the Cabinet has reiterated its assertion of a few weeks ago; as the largest employer, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda can provide only moderate increases to wages and salaries, without requiring an increase in taxes to meet growth in expenditure.