The BIU has rejected a Government pay proposal and called on Ministers to take a pay cut.Yesterday BIU President Chris Furbert said the workers understood that they had to do their part and work with Government, however he added the workers felt Ministers should show leadership and take a symbolic pay cut.Government had hoped the BIU would agree to a wage freeze as well as a reduction in overtime, and proposed that workers would only be paid regular pay if they worked overtime instead of double time.Ninety two percent of Royal Gazette readers who voted online agreed with BIU workers.The Royal Gazette also took to the streets to ask people: ‘Do you agree with the BIU, should Ministers take a pay cut?”All but one person we spoke with gave a resounding yes.Darren Flemming said: “I think it is a good idea. Leadership starts by example.”Adrienne Cotterill said: “Absolutely, everybody else is. They are responsible and if they expect the workers to take home less, they should too; lead by example.”A 40-year-old banker from Southampton added: “I think they should, it is only fair. If everyone else is cutting back the people in charge should as well. It is what would happen in the private sector.”Two men painting the banisters in the Washington Mall Church Street entrance laughed when asked the question.“Give more money to the poor and needy, not the rich and greedy,” the 34-year-old Warwick painter said. “They can afford to take a cut, they get paid too much anyway.”His 56-year-old co-worker, also from Warwick, added: “If I were them I would, it’s the right thing to do.”A 61-year-old Sandys woman said: “I don’t really want to talk about it because it makes my blood pressure rise!”Meanwhile an 87-year-old Devonshire man said: “They are getting too much anyhow and they aren’t doing nothing for it. They should cut their wages, yes.”The only person to disagree was JM Furbert.“I don’t think they should take a pay cut,” she said. “It is not a nine-to-five job. They should always be thinking about how to better Bermuda. They are serving our country.”Readers also left comments on our website.Darrin Walker said: “I agree totally with the Ministers taking a pay cut and also any Civil Servant who makes over $100,000. Also Government have to still stop paying certain overseas consultants which is still going on“This Labour Government has to get back to their grassroots and start getting innovative in running this country. PLP you are losing contact with the common man. Where is the Government I voted for? Stop squeezing the workers of this country and then tell us you are looking out for us, we can see what’s happening!”T Williams added: “I’m trying to figure this out...who runs the Island, the Government or the union?“I always thought that they needed a pay cut... poor performance, should mean a pay cut every year by the ministers, until they get it right. Why should we all have to take pay cuts, and they sit on the throne, enjoying their monthly pay cheques?”