The Bermuda Public Services Union has officially signed a new collective bargaining agreement, the Government announced this afternoon.

A government spokeswoman said that Vance Campbell, the Minister of Tourism and the Cabinet Office, met the leadership of the union this week.

The new agreement sets out amended terms and conditions of employment for those government employees who are members of the BPSU.

Mr Campbell said: “The Government of Bermuda values its working relationships with all its union partners.

“I wish to acknowledge the commitment of the public sector negotiations team as well as the union’s team for their dedication in seeking a fair and equitable agreement on behalf of Bermuda’s public servants.

“We are very appreciative of their hard work and commitment in guiding the negotiations to a conclusion. We look forward to continuing our positive engagement with our union partners.”

In July, David Burt told the House of Assembly that the Government had committed to $19.4 million in back pay, ex-gratia payments and pay increases for employees represented by the island’s three largest unions, including $13.1 million for the BPSU.

The Premier said that most agreements had expired in 2020 and included survival provisions.

Mr Burt, who is also the finance minister, reminded the House that public employees had gone two years without pay increases, but that the unions had acknowledged payroll tax reductions implemented by the Government.

“This Government is pleased that we were able to remain at the table and reach a compromise position that was ultimately accepted by all parties void of any form of industrial action,” he said.

Mr Burt said the payments would be funded by “efficiency savings that exceed budget targets”.