Premier says union stance on 'no redundancies' was unreasonable

Speaking in the wake of the BPSU’s protest march on Tuesday she said it was not possible to meet many of their demands.

She said Government could not include a ‘no redundancies’ clause in any negotiated agreement.

And she warned that Government could not put price controls on private businesses.

In a statement today, the Premier said:

"The challenges we face are collective challenges that impact all of us and must be borne by all of us.

"In extending an invitation to meet with the Unions, it was with the express purpose of designing a way forward.

"The Union stated their intent to march and I invited them to do so on Monday before I travelled on Tuesday.

"However, I contend that the way forward is not punctuated with marches, but with an understanding of our reality and an articulation of the best practices that benefit all Bermudians.

"The Union is fully aware that Government cannot include a guarantee of no redundancies in an agreement. That would make this a negotiable item each year.

The same practice would be held in relation to price controls. We are an island of consumers and so positioned as 'price-takers'. Unthinking decisions could bring unintended consequences, such as an interruption in our supply lines.

"While such pronouncements by the Union make great sound bites, words like productivity, collaboration and honest broker are real measures of the public and private sectors working in unison.

"As stated in the Budget Brief, Government will use its powers of enquiry available under the Price Commission Act 1974 to ensure consumers are protected from unwarranted price increases.

"It is my charge and my challenge is to ensure that ALL citizens of Bermuda are able to weather the current fiscal storm with as little discomfort as possible. I do so, not by having one or the other carry the weight, but by having us all share some of the responsibility.

As has been shared in the 'bloggosphere' and makes the point of our current situation, Unemployed? Said, and I paraphrase:

I the US public sector workers are being laid off by the thousands. In the UK the Government cuts off 500,000 public servants. In Barbados and Jamaica public sector wages were cut. In Europe public sector workers are being forced to take pay cuts, redundancies, and pension/benefit reductions…

But we live in an alternate reality called Bermuda. While Government could have cut the work week and instituted real cost saving measures, they decided to keep things largely untouched and they get a march. I wonder what would have happened if the government was really tough. ..

(Those) who have secure jobs, healthcare, pensions, are marching in protest, meanwhile we have multiple unemployed Bermudians and Hotel workers that earn half as much and aren’t…

The Premier continued, “I can assure the Unions’ memberships that I have genuine interest in the concerns expressed on their behalf by the leadership and it was agreed that we would meet more regularly to make certain the best information possible would be conveyed to them.

"However, of paramount importance, to me, is the fiscal stability of Bermuda and Bermudians. The Unions will act in the interest of their members and that is to be respected. However, while I seriously take those matters into account, I must act in the interest of all of Bermuda. 

The Government has addressed fiscal prudence - doing more with less and job considerations - retaining jobs without the necessity for redundancies.  Jobs preservation and steps taken to minimise job loss is key and to be supported with greater productivity and efficiency. 

These are decisions that move the country forward during economic hardships; considered decisions and positive actions to build economic stability that will maintain the country's standing in the long term,