About 600 civil servants yesterday marched on Cabinet calling for more help for families struggling during the recession.Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) demanded Government does all it can to introduce a price freeze on essential services as part of a string of proposals aimed at getting the economy back on track.The demonstration went ahead despite Premier Paula Cox's request to postpone it until she returns from a trip to the UK for the Royal Wedding.The BPSU repeated its call for Ministers to consider cutting their own salaries, but many marchers told this newspaper they were more concerned Government tries to make groceries more affordable.Leader Kevin Grant also indicated the union would accept a pay freeze if Government gives assurance there will be no compulsory redundancies.Mr Grant presented a petition to Acting Premier Michael Scott stating members “do not wish to bear the weight of further excessive Governmental spending”.His statement read: “Redundancies undermine the economic and social fabric of Bermudian families and with the enactment of Government's recent restructured conditionalities for financial assistance, these new guidelines further disproportionately target Bermudian families.“While we can appreciate the need for responsible budgeting and spending at a time when we as Bermudians are challenged by local and global economic constraints, we cannot lose sight of increasing costs associated with the basic Bermudian householders' needs, such as health care, groceries, products and services, to name a few.“These costs are leading to increased financial hardship on Bermudian families.“If the goal is to do more with less in these challenging economic times, then Government must consider partnering with Bermudian unions and local employers to find ways to accelerate the recovery of Bermuda's economy and employment opportunities.”Attorney General Mr Scott told the crowd Government is prepared to negotiate and is already working towards the same goals as the union except for a pay cut for Ministers, which the Premier has already ruled out.Mr Scott was flanked by National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief, Economy Minister Kim Wilson and Tourism Minister Patrice Minors as he faced the gathering.During the march, from BPSU headquarters on Angle Street, civil servants chanted “We want our voice” and “Solidarity forever”.Many union members told The Royal Gazette their main concern was the high cost of living which is leaving families unable to make ends meet.One said: “Everything's being increased in the shops and they just blame the oil prices. I don't think that's fair and right. Government needs to do something to make the prices lower.”Another said: “The merchants need to keep their prices down. It's difficult now. Different items go up by one or two dollars and it all adds up, especially if you've got some people in the family losing their jobs.”The march took place after rallying speeches from Mr Grant, BPSU general secretary Ed Ball and vice president Jason Hayward in the union's car park.Mr Ball revealed Ms Cox had attempted to stave off the march, and Government initially claimed it hadn't been given enough notice.But Mr Hayward told the crowd: “The fact Government is saying postpone the march is like saying postpone our voice.“We will do it now and when you [Ms Cox] come back, we can do it again. We will continue to speak up when we are being affected. We are not just doing it for BPSU members and their pockets, we are doing it for Bermuda.”After the march, Mr Hayward told this newspaper: “I think we accomplished what we set out to accomplish in terms of making a statement.“Today is only phase one. There is work left to be done.”He indicated another march is on the cards after Ms Cox returns on May 12 if Government doesn't improve its communication with the union.Mr Grant said the union has requested a three-way meeting between Government, the private sector and the public sector as soon as she returns from the UK.“When she gets back, I'm hoping that she will get in contact with us. We are willing to play our role,” he said.United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan said in a statement: “I am disappointed that the PLP Cabinet Ministers do not see the importance of walking a mile in the shoes of their people.“I reiterate the call for Government to take note of the fragile mood of the Country and the reasons the Country is in this state.“The late Dr Martin Luther King Jr in a speech once spoke of the ‘urgency of now'. We the political leaders in Bermuda must also be mindful of the ‘urgency of now' as it relates to the myriad problems our Country is faced with at this time.“Never before in modern times have we experienced economic hardship of this magnitude and criminal activity which are resulting in murders at such a startling level, which together are breeding growing social uneasiness.“I am disappointed that the Premier and her Cabinet colleagues have not yet seen the value of demonstrating to the people that they understand the pain they are feeling.“I continue to urge them to take another look at their approach and the part it plays in the need for people to march.”Bermuda Democratic Alliance leader Craig Cannonier said: "What we are witnessing is Bermudians acting in a responsible manner to get our Government to understand that we as a people are hurting."Local businesses are dying by the dozens, citizens are losing their jobs, cost continue to skyrocket and all are wondering who's steering the ship."At present, there's no 'we're in this together feeling' and that is why we are seeing the frustration."We are on course for serious ramifications. Government has failed to make the people of this Country feel satisfied that enough is being done to steer us onto better pastures."That's why our Premier and Ministers are being asked to include themselves in a pay cut. Our Government is out of touch and until they start exhibiting the willingness to work for the people, the unrest will intensify and the Country will continue to suffer."The worst is yet to come and that my fellow Bermudians is our reality."Useful websites: www.bpsu.bm, www.ubp.bm, www.plp.bm