Lack of a formal mandate stalled negotiations with unions for more than a year under the last Government, the Minister of Government Reform told MPs today.

Lovitta Foggo said: “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.

“The PSNT had been retained to simply have talks with the unions as opposed to earnestly negotiate collective agreements.”

She added: “These disingenuous and unproductive talks resulted in scepticism and mistrust.

“Valuable time was wasted in having to address the negative relationship issues that had evolved prior to commencing honest negotiations.”

Ms Foggo said that the new administration provided the PSNT with a “clear mandate” to talks to move forward.

She also told the House Government would end a practice that allowed some Government employees to pay less towards their health insurance.

“There has long been disquiet over what can be described as an unacceptable situation wherein some groups of employees contribute 50 per cent towards the Government Employee Health Insurance scheme whilst other groups have both the employer and employee portions of their GEHI paid by the Government.

“This can no longer continue as the norm.”

Ms Foggos said agreements had been struck with the Bermuda Public Services Union and the Fire Services Association.

She added that agreements in principle had been reached with the Bermuda Industrial Union and the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

Ms Foggo said: “It is expected that these agreements will be executed within the coming days.

“Talks continue with the Prison Officers Association and the school principals. The school principals are represented as a separate bargaining unit by the Bermuda Public Services Union.

“Talks with both groups are at varying stages though it is anticipated that they will progress quite quickly.”

Ms Foggo added the Bermuda Police Association had not signalled it was ready to start negotiations, but that the Government hoped talks would begin in the near future.

She added: “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.”

• To read Ms Foggo’s statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”