UBP: “Lead By Example. Cut Pay for Ministers”
[Written by Senator Jeanne Atherden Chairman, United Bermuda Party]
The BIU’s call for Government Ministers to take a pay cut is consistent with The United Bermuda Party’s position which was outlined most recently in Reply to the Budget in February 2011 by our Shadow Finance Minister ET “Bob” Richards.
We reiterate that we concur with the BIU position, which reminds us of a familiar quote, “He who feels it knows it.”.
Government blue collar workers are publicly expressing how they are feeling about the government’s approach which is akin to a “Do as I say not as I do” attitude.
We are duty bound to point out that it has been a plethora of poor decisions and actions by the government policy makers – the superiors of the blue collar workers – which has put workers and the country in the predicament we are facing in Bermuda.
The United Bermuda Party has repeatedly stated that the economic woes we face in Bermuda have been caused by bad decisions by the government, decisions which are now causing the workers to feel excruciating economic pain.
We in the United Bermuda Party have consistently and repeatedly called on the Government to “lead by example”. Unfortunately, it has been the Government and Cabinet Ministers who have been at the nucleus of most financial waste, mismanagement and unethical behaviour associated with the loss of millions of taxpayer dollars.
For the record, our official Reply to the Budget in February 2011 by our Shadow Finance Minister ET Richards stated:
” Lead by example. Cut pay for ministers ”
” The Government has leaned on unionized workers to agree to overtime bans to keep its costs under control. ”
” The unions have agreed, sacrificing, as the Premier said in her Budget Statement, for the greater good of the community.”
” We disagree with this initiative in one important respect: The Government should not be asking workers to lead the way in cost-cutting without first leading by example. This is an issue of fairness and leadership. And so we renew our call on the Premier to impose a pay cut for all Government ministers. A cut of 10-15% would signal an all-important commitment to shared sacrifice -something that would be viewed positively by the wider community whose support will be needed for further belt-tightening measures ”
In addition, United Bermuda Party Leader Kim.Swan in his second Throne Speech Reply in November 2008 said the following:
” For too long the Government has spent wildly on public projects such as the Berkeley school while indulging in excessive travel, larger GP cars and open credit cards.
” People understand the need for cost-cutting in lean times, but they also need to know that everybody’s doing it and that it starts at the top. Imposing austerity measures on itself will give the Government credibility to ask others to sacrifice. This is what leadership by example means.”
The position of the United Bermuda Party has been consistent for several years from both our Leader and Shadow Finance Minister but Government didn’t take heed.
Now the outcry of workers within the Bermuda Industrial Union is in concert with our cries.
We sincerely hope that Government will have a rethink as more groups and people join the chorus.
A good pay cut percentage for all government members would be 15% @ least
Besides…the leader of the BIU is the real Head Of State. The PLP would love to take the pay-cut, but can’t cuz they don’t want to confirm to Chris that he rules. May God grant Chris wisdom and love in his heart not to destroy Bermuda.
Just received a call from a relative in the UK. He and his classmates are finding it amusing that a union leader is now asking a former leader of the same union to take a pay CUT!
F.Y.I it was not brother Chris who asks the ministers to take a pay cut, (we know he is one of them or aspires to be one them… he wanted us to agree that why the meeting took so long becuase it seemed like they wanted us to say yes in my opinion) it is the blue collar (w.e, ptb,marine and ports, parks,pest control etc.) who asks. So while you and friends finds this amusing… why should we (yes i am blue collar) take a pay freeze while they drive gas guzzlers and take cruises. And yes we were told if we go ahead and deny the MP of what they want they will start cutting jobs. The BIU is made up of industrial workers not one man. I have a family to support why should de small fish bail out the big fish when they (both UBP and PLP) #$^%$ed up this country in the first place. test me with your ignorance.
@ testme says.
Please read the post carefully before commenting! NOWHERE does it say that I find it amusing.
U would still have ths backward and ignorant govt even if you cut salaries..Just check.why is the attorney gen.is gettin that xbortant salary..DOing WHAT? Paula Cox should not be where the money…she has abbetted and aided Brown to have a destructive field day with our hardearned money…thses dupes are allowing our only home to go downhill with thse people who called themselves MPS..here goes the race card..PPl don’t think that the world doenst care about Bda and absurdity on race issue.And why should we have such nonesense..we don’t any other resources here to make style on race BS or we die a aggonyising death..WE allow these clever hooligans official to exploit to the max with their diveiness and laughing all the way to d’bank
Pigs will fly outa my butt before the MPs take a pay cut.
@ Don’t care what he says – dat would be s sight to see!!!!!!
It’s the UBP’s fault.
@terry – WRONG! it’s the black ppl fault for electing continuously without fail a govt based on their BLACKNESS and NOT ON THEIR SAVVY.
not sure how many people know this but all employees of bermuda college had take a pay cut of 2.3% with no increases for the next year. employees are doing their part but what about government.
Remember this when each of us go to the polls for the election and in particular that we had to force/suggest/recommend the ministers take a pay cut.
leading by example for our leaders is a joke!
the only comment the hon paula can say is we can encourage minister to take a cut but it is up to a committee, please!!!! where is her leadership in all of this??
okay then let’s encourage people to vote for another party as plp is taking us for granted.
change is good and will let them know we will not take this no more.
While staggering down the side of the road?!” one afternoon near East Broadway, a well known Member of Parliament is tragically hit by a garbage truck and dies
!?
After a short stop on Front Street to pick up a bottle of Black Rum, his soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance!”>.
Welcome to heaven, says St. Peter.?! Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a PLP or UBP politician around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you?!
No problem, just let me in, says the former Member of Parliament.?
Well, “I’d like to” says, St. Peter, “but I have orders from higher up”. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.
Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven, says the MP.
I’m sorry, but we have our rules.
Visiting Hell
With that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down, down, down to hell?!. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of an exact copy of the St George’s golf course?! In the distance is the clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his dead friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and nicely dressed. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had.?!
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on Bermuda lobster, caviar, fish chowder and champagne just like the old days! They laugh about promising Integrity and cutting Spending and how the voters believed them every time!?
Integrity! That’s a good one, laughs the devil as he slaps his knee and pours the drinks. The devil, who really is a very friendly and nice guy, has a good time with the crowd dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before the Member of Parliament realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
Now it’s time to visit heaven?, says St. Peter.
So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing?!. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell? and another in heaven?. Now choose your eternity.
The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven? has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell?!.
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down, down ,down to hell?!.
Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The air is putrid with the smell of decay. There is a single water pipe marked. Courtesy of your Minister of Works, but when he opens the tap only a single rusted drop lands in the dirt.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.
I..I..I don’t understand, stammers the MP. Yesterday I was here and there was a beautiful golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and I danced and had a great time. Now there’s just garbage and my friends look miserable.
What happened?
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, yesterday we were campaigning.
Politicking they campaign until you vote then reality sets in?!”
“NO MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR THE GOVERNMENT GETS IN”
They all go to same school.
mad funny
mad funny
LMAO!! genuine laugh on that one!!
That was hilarious!
Funnnnyyyyy!!!!!!! Brilliant piece of writing!!!
It’s Terry’s fault.
What’s the difference between Rolf Commission and Dr.Eva Hudson ? Dr.Hudson tells you the truth and expects nothing back ,monetarily .While Rolf on the other hand borrows what Dr.Hudson has been expressing for decades and gets paid for it . I say we need to make the connection that we are paying $100,000 plus , for advice that has always been provided to us for free .
Get rid of Rolf and save us some money .Nothing personal Rolf , but ,we just cannot afford to pay you anymore . Your services are no longer required…..
This way in one fell swoop the MP,s get to save face ,and their hardly earned salaries ! !
They were never required to begin with. Are we any further ahead because of his ‘services’? I’d say we’re more divided than ever….
SANS MONEY , SANS ROLF ,SANS SERVICE , cause his heart ain’t into it .
The money saved can buy the guns as proposed by Minister Perinchief.
we should have a BIG CONVERSATION to put BERMUDA under a proforming administration.
so are ubp/bda MPs willing to take one for the team also?
Government workers need to understand that the Private sector has had massive layoffs yet all you have been asked to do is not get a raise and work overtime for regular pay. There are loads and loads of unemployed Bermudians who would LOVE to be in this situation – it would mean they actually HAVE A JOB!!!!
Get real Gov workers. You are lucky to still have jobs – and you are MOANING cos you can’t get a raise!!!!!! Grow up.
Typical spoiled child syndrome.
PATHETIC!!
You think MPs will take a cut? You are stupider than I thought.
Well said … an exact summary of reality ! ! !
give them an inch they take a mile… you cant blame gov workers for protecting their wallets… they pay 624 a year to the BIU to do just that…and food for thought if they didn’t have blue collar workers you would have to burn your own trash, take your own kids to school, fight of malaria infested mosquitoes, and buy all your @%@% straight from de dock, and tourism would be shot because no would fly here to see cane grass and beer bottles on the coastline. testme with your ignorance
No what you need to understand is that while no one is denying the current employment state of this country, by no means is it justification for detrimentally affecting and putting the working class of this country in a more difficult position.
I bet you also think that those people who work in sweatshops and make 10 cents an hour should also be grateful because there are other people out there who would work in those conditions….
Grow some brain cells and realize that the working people are tired of witnessing inflated salaries, wasteful spending and no effort by this elected government to truly cut back and stimulate this economy. You are stupid for not standing up with these citizens of this country who are holding this government accountable and encourage their actions to speak louder then the rambling words they utter.
You don’t stimulate an economy by taking more money away from people……you stimulate a country by encouraging people to spend and if everything is rising and people are far less off than they were last year than them a lot more people will lose their jobs.It’s obvious that your thoughts a kinder garden so when you graduate to primary school re-write another post!
“You are stupid for not standing up with these citizens of this country who are holding this government accountable”
So where have you been for the last I don’t know five- six years or so???????? Just a thought as others have been jumping up and down about this for about that time. Guess it all matters who is doing the complaining. White collar workers in a lot of jobs have not had increases including cost of living increases for at lest 3-4 years now.
LOL
Government will fold and give them what they want – they always have. They add to the problem each time. Like bad parents who cannot say no to their children.
Gov’t will fold not because they’re like bad parents dealing with spoiled children but because they will never do anything to alienate a huge percentage of their supporters and risk loosing votes.
As an example look to the avoidance of issues such as gambling and ammendments to the Human Rights act which would eternally piss off the AME support base.
(Or equally , getting REALLY hard on crime and criminals)
Read what you wrote – its almost the same as me. Spoiled Bermudian workers can’t get what they want (Waa Waa!) Votes Yes! But there’s a time when the gain (vote) isn’t worth the cost.
Soon??? We can hope!!
This Government is no different from every other Government around the world THEREFORE I ask the PEOPLE: WHEN WILL ENOUGH BE ENOUGH FOR YOU???
We pay for the CARS, GAS, TRIPS, HOTEL STAYS, MEALS, PANTIES@Victoria Secrets, COMPUTERS, PRINTERS – (NDC purchased with Government PO’s and no one is prosecuted) PO’s are flagrantly abused, ROADS (hazardous roads which have been neglected for years) Over priced MUSIC FESTIVALS that benefit “visitors” but put on for “the PEOPLE,” PARKING TICKETS issued to family members/friends that “get taken care of” GOVERNMENT WORKERS 8 hour days eve when they only work 5, 6 and 4 hour dayswho come into work whenever they feel like it, get thier hair/nails/toes done during office hours.
We did not protest when a government worker who has abused the system is reinstated! We do not protest when BOARD MEMEMBERS of CEDAR BRIDGE are NOT ACCOUNTABLE for EQUIPMENT which goes missing!
We do not protest for a more PUNITIVE PRISON SYSTEM!
We did not protest against a bar in which a student was shot for its CLOSURE!
We instead complain about our GOVERNMENT yet continue to lay back as they do as they will with our FUTURE!!!
WHY???
Who was the minister that went and charged to their credit card items from victorias secret ?? or is to remain a secret ?
it was not a Minister but a civilian at NDC for legal reasons I will not report however the RG ran a story on this last year. In my world this is called stealing!!!
It would be interesting to see what the UBP Ministers were last paid in 1998 and to see what the PLP now pay the Ministers in 2011, compared to what the man on the trash truck got paid in 1998 and what he now gets paid in 2011 as percentages.
Breaking news. 10% pay cut for all Ministers announced. $210,000.00 in savings is the result. Financial woes of the nation solved. Hooray !! Why don’t you all get a life. sad.
Is this person for real? Let’s spin it another way then. Let’s give MP’s a 10% increase and spend another $200,000 per year. How’s that if $200,000 is so insignificant? I’m sure a charity like The Salvation Army could spend the $200,000 in savings a lot better than our politicians, and I would be happy knowing $200,000 came from the MP’s pocket and into their pocket.
It’s actually hits home when MP’s refuse to take a pay cut for the betterment of their Country. I thought that anyone who serves their Country should do so with their Country’s best interest at heart. It’s quite clear now, and actually apauling, that the only interest the MP’s have is to fatten up their peronal bank accounts! Especially when just about every other person in Bermuda has already made a sacrifice for the Country.
Did you try to get a seat on any flight out of Bermuda for the week that school was out? Not one to be had. Was it all 36 MPs on those flights? I don’t think so……if all you want is symbolism then so be it. Cut their pay to 0 for all I care. It won’t fix a damn thing except to make you happy until the next shooting. Get a grip.
What are you trying to say? As long as you can’t get a flight out of BDA during times when schools are out that MP’s deserve their $168,000 annual salary?
Also this is not just about mere symbolism as you put it. Have you ever heard the saying “he who feels it, knows it”? Maybe if more money was redirected from MP’s salaries to social programes we could actually prevent a murder from happening? hmmmmmmm…
@ Justin,
Bravo! There are several charities that would be happy to receive the redirected funds. eg. Agape House.
Also,if the MP’s were actually concerned about the shootings, they would be happy to have a portion of their salaries allocated to buying the guns as proposed by Minister Perinchief. (I mentioned this in an earlier post before reading yours)
The US government narrowly avoided a shutdown…..I know If Bermuda was in the same position (and I think we are), the Govt would have shut down. Everyone seems to be taking licks but PLP senators and MP’s seem to think the sacrifices do not apply to them. They may not be firing people or cutting pay but they have a hiring freeze at schools and the police service and are not renewing work permits. We will see the damage done to the community maybe next year so be prepared for things to get worse before they get better.
I don’t believe that Ministers should take a pay cut. I think the UBP is playing politics yet again. If they were in government and were Ministers they would not be taking a cut. It is very easy for them to judge from sidelines but if they were in this position what would they really do?
r’u really happy with this admin?Bermuda is in deep financial mess and crime to our a$$ and u are quibbling of the previous govt.Man get yourself some brains to figure out this rotten MESS!!!
@ neutral says
if-if if, you are engaging in the hypothetic. If a frog had wings it would not be hopping around on it’s ass!
This is a real situation, the principals are in place and we all know who they are, the problem is understood, and it must be solved pronto.
The leader of the country needs to sort this out!
Hmmmmm says You said it so plainly clear what on earth will 10% or even 15% really do for the workers it is very sad. They are just children used to getting what they want.
The question is — WHO IS GOING TO BLINK FIRST?
Maybe Brother Chris should promise if they take the cuts the Union will no longer call wild cat strikes…..Oh..wait a minute…he’s used that one already!!
Cutting their salaries wouldnt improve their lack of proformance and good goverance,so why bother? just vote them out.They had 13yrs.long expensive to fulfil their useless promises and we just got ourselves into a fiscal nightmare,crime out of control,millions gone missing and nobody is accountable for,tourism is RIP,lack of infrastruture.The plp is burdensome and a liability to the taxpayers of Bermuda.If they got any honor left they would quit at the helm.
Agreed Get rid of them.They’ve ruin us with their ‘bush style govt’
You have no idea what you are talking about. “Bush style govt”, that is Republican style choose smaller government. PLP (democrats) have chosen “BIG govt.”, so everyone has a government job handed to them so they can keep their votes. The PLP got us into this mess not “Bush style govt.” Get a clue before you make statements like this.
Time to plp…dont let de door hit ya @$$ on de way out!
Negotiation is over.We can’t afford this govt.We are paying with our toil and sweat and we are not getting our moneys worth.Life in Bermuda is unbearable with the PLP!
Can anyone tell me what will happen if PLP lost the next election? UBP and BDA both have shown nothing as far as future ruling parties. So PLP will continue to run the country and I look forward to the downward spiral. PLP is leveling the playing field. Our total infrastructure is decaying. We are are so divided it is sad. The next party to step forward needs to lead us to independence. Future generations will feel about PLP how my parents felt about UBP “not got our best interest at heart”. The thought of my MP working for FREE works for me, but that is not reasonable. Are they there for the best interest of the country or are they there for the pay. If they are there for the country they would have no problem with a pay cut. THEY WILL NEVER LEAD BY EXAMPLE – they proved that with the suggested drug testing.
u can’t get any worse under this admin.Btw who made Bermuda the most successful country without any natural resource.Are u forgetin or r’u drinking the koolaid?Get your facts.The only govt before PLP is UBP.DOnt need a rocket scien.to tell!!!
I can understand the workers and there frustration – but demanding something that will NEVER happen is pointless. The MPs will no more take a pay cut than Jesus appear at City Hall this afternoon at 5pm.
The BIG WORRY is the NATIONAL DEBT….who cares about symbols from a thimble of the spending PROBLEM?^^
Maybe we should just ask for our $800,000 back and call it even.
you people are all brainwashed from these media outlets. Lets not forget the UBP will jump on any wagon that can make the PLP look bad !!!
The PLP look bad all by them selves with no help needed……..
LOL
I wonder if the MPs are actually talking about this? Or do they think Joe Bluecollar will back down?
If the PLP Ministers take a pay cut, should the Governor also take a pay cut as he gets paid more than any of our elected representatives?
@sigh And the people of Bermuda can do that how? Oh right independence and then let the jokers in our government make their own rules please that’s just dumb you think we our in a bad way now just imagine the crap if these politicians had complete control. No thanks……
LOL
Don’t you get it? These are the same people who didn’t want their Premier to have the same car as the Governor. There is no way they will allow his money to be touched. Crabs in a barrel. Never a question about his value for money; never a question about how much it costs for these monthly royal visits we’re getting; no questions asked ever. You all dare touch his money and the nearest frigate (if they have any left) will change course for Somers Isles.
We question what we have in our power to change which is how the Government uses our money. The Governor and his expenses are tolerated because Bermuda has stated it does not want independence period. The only ones clamoring for independence right now are the government who just want more control and the safety of knowing that no one could come behind them and investigate the spending of the people’s money. As if they would direct a frigate here all they have to do is sanction us like Libya. Bermuda could be the new Haiti.
LOL
Your world is scary; so glad I don’t live there. Value for money has nothing to with constitutional status. Mark my words, when there’s a Governor-General at Langton Hill who is a Bermudian we’ll do to them exactly what we’re now doing to the MPs. Value for money = British accent. Sad.
Who’s scared me or the person that thinks a frigate is comming to keeps us in check all 21 sq of us thanks fo making everyone here……………………………..
LOL it good for the soul after all. You sound just like thoses guys saying May 21st 2011 is the end of the world LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
But isn’t the Governor paid through the British government?
Wow. Afraid not. Here’s the law: Governor’s Salary Act 1931
Emoluments of His Excellency the Governor
1 There shall be paid to His Excellency the Governor out of the Consolidated Fund such annual salary and entertainment allowance as shall be included in the annual estimates of expenditure approved by the Legislature.
and the icing on the cake:
Public Service Superannuation Act 1981 not to apply
6 The salaries payable under this Act shall not be subject to any deduction under the provisions of the Public Service Superannuation Act 1981
You must have a lot of time on your hands and must want independance reeeaaaal bad.
LOL
Why don’t you give us some positives of going independence under this present Government given our current debt and social economic status. Love to hear them I’ll get the popcorn you bring the ……………………………
LOLs
I have been saying pay cuts for ministers for quite some time now along with getting rid of GP cars, only to get blasted on here about they don’t make much. I infact did post a link to back up what i was saying. We as a country should demand this!!
We as a country should demand this yes. When Government brought in 4 Gitmo refugees and effectively gave them status only a few frustrated whites showed up to complain. Now perhaps we finally have something that will bring the Bruthas an Sistahs out. Its all good.
It’s All about Hypocrisy and Greed, if the MP’s do take a pay cut, their Pension benefits will remain the same, so we will still paying for them until they die off!!
I notice that the UBP is only suggesting MINISTERS take a pay cut – why not all MP’s? It seems hypocritical to me for the UBP to be telling Ministers to lead by example, yet they are not offering to lead by example themselves.
I agree that the Ministers are overpaid the most but 10-15% cuts should be across the board for ALL MP’s. If an MP making $60k complains about $6-9k coming out of their pay (for their part-time job), they are an MP for all the wrong reasons.
I agree it should be all MPs taking a cut PLP UBP whatever.
Does matter though it AIN’T NEVER GONNA HAPPEN!!
Moses will more likely appear at Flatts Bridge today at noon with the other five commandments.
Why UBP? The PLP got us into this mess. Oh that’s right I forgot. It’s all the UBP’s fault just like Obama needs 52 years to clean up the mess from Bush. Get real. As a voter I think the officials in any country have 18 months to turn around the country or your OUT!!!!
I guess it makes sense to recall Parliament to make the changes.
Your sarcasm is almost as funny as your blind loyalty. Interested to see how this plays out. PLP or BIU who you think is right in this case. I will not be shooked if you do not answer.
Not unexpected though. She seems to suggest that it would be too much trouble to recall Parliament for something so unimportant. I mean they weren’t elected to serve us were they?
Apparently no one has blinked yet. Maybe the parties are locked in the proverbial smoke filled rooms!
No need. Just have the MP’s donate a material percentage of their salaries across a broad range of those local charitable organisations whose budgets were slashed because the Government no longer has the necessary funds available following four years of spiralling debt and unaccounted/unnecessary expenditures at the hands of the former Premier.
Also, if the Government wasn’t recalled when special duty exemptions were Gazetted by the former Premier so private limousines could be imported at ridiculously low duty rates of 10% (thereby saving a private citizen/business over $100k in import duties at the expense of taxpayers) why not do the same with MP & Senator salaries?
Its very interesting how Parliamentarians hide behind legislation or ‘policy’ when useful personally or for the Party but then wilfully chose to ignore same when its politically expedient or obfuscates the public interest (i.e. chastising the Auditor general for releasing a report to the taxpayers).
Sure it does…what are they all doing anyway…couple of phone calls from you and they are back in session. bingo…Would be nice if they UBP lead by example instead of just talking about a pay cut and took one…just sayin…
Yes they should as it might validate their existance. In reality I don’t see any of our elected officials doing this and I’m sure they are sitting up parliment at the bar and ………………
LOLing at all of us
Not really. That would look like PLP was elected to serve the people.
black ppl in bda keeping Plp govt in power only becoz based on their color will be their DEMISE AND DOWNFALL!so knock yourself out
Even a dumb,deaf and blind man can see the inability of the PLP to run this country.The only success they’ve acomplished especially brown is to fatten their greedy pockets and their selfishness have put this beautiful paradise in a crimeridden and ruin us economically.Vote them out or it gets worse.