“r. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not highlight a false assumption.

This Government, like the people of Bermuda, prior to July 18th, was under the distinct impression that negotiations with all of the Unions were in progress prior to the general election and had been for over a year.

Yet, upon taking Office it emerged that while the PSNT had been in ongoing talks with the Unions under the guise of negotiations, they had not been given a formal mandate, and therefore could not advance those talks to the negotiations stage.

Mr. Speaker, the PSNT had been retained to simply have talks with the Unions as opposed to earnestly negotiate Collective Agreements.

These disingenuous and unproductive talks resulted in skeptism and mistrust. Valuable time was wasted in having to address the negative relationship issues that had evolved prior to commencing honest negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, this Government moved quickly to review the matter and to provide the PSNT with a clear mandate to ensure a positive outcome.

Mr. Speaker, this Government is committed to engendering again a respect for the workers in the public service.

Further, the Government is committed to building productive employer, employee and union relationships.

Notwithstanding that we, in our role as employer and the Unions, sit on opposite sides of the bargaining table and sometimes represent divergent interest, it is our firm belief that these relationships can be healthy and productive.

Mr. Speaker, this Government will work with the unions to cultivate improved organizational performance, which will ultimately benefit the Government, the employees, and by extension the people of Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker, in the future Honourable Members can expect that our relationship with our Union partners will be based upon mutual respect, regular communication, proactive policies and teamwork.

At the conclusion of this round of negotiations our Union partners can expect that we will convene a series of initial meetings to commence discussions on issues affecting the delivery of public services, the Government, and the employees.

Thereafter, the Unions can expect that we will invite their participation in the government reform strategic planning process. In the meantime, our Union partners will be consulted on those short term reform initiatives that the Government plans to advance so that we are armed with their views on the most effective way to achieve successful outcomes in the best interest of all parties.

Mr. Speaker, I am eternally grateful to all those who have been engaged in the negotiations process and I look forward to working with our Union partners on building a better and fairer Bermuda as we undertake to establish a more efficient Public Service.”

we have no money to keep the inefficient CS employed – cut the fat of the dinosaurs who are taking a spot and passing on bad habits for a promised pension!!

Imagine that, a Government embarking on “disingenuous and unproductive talks”!