Premier Paula Cox says she would be happy to take a pay cut as long as senior civil servants follow her lead.Ms Cox revealed yesterday that she was willing to agree to a reduction in her $224,000 salary to help to “move Bermuda forward.”It comes nearly three weeks after 600 civil servants marched on Cabinet calling for Ministers to lead by example by taking a symbolic pay cut themselves.In an e-mail to The Royal Gazette yesterday afternoon, Ms Cox wrote: “I am happy to take the lead as Premier to take a cut in salary if this is mirrored also by senior levels of civil service.”Ms Cox did not indicate how much she would be willing to slash her wage packet, but she stated that now was not the time to play games.It seems to be a change-of-heart for Ms Cox who said in her first televised speech to the nation last month that accepting a pay reduction would be an empty gesture.BPSU President Kevin Grant has welcomed the Premier's offer, although he questioned whether ministers who earn $168,000 would follow her lead.Mr Grant will now discuss the Premier's pay cut offer with union members at a meeting at 5pm today.Ms Cox returned to the Island last week but has not had any communication with Mr Grant to move union negotiations forward.The march on April 26 called for help for families struggling in the recession in return for accepting a low wage increase. Workers wanted guarantees there will be no redundancies or wage cuts if the union accepts a 1.25 percent wage increase; and that Government considers a cut of ministerial wages and does everything it can to introduce a price freeze on essential products.Ms Cox stressed she still could not give unions a guarantee of no redundancies or price controls.But she said negotiations were continuing and even though the two sides may not always agree, communication was crucial.She said: “We have a tripartite relationship and we talk about issues we will not always approach the same way as I have a broader remit but I believe in dialogue.“I have by my track record in the Budget been clear as to seeking to preserve established jobs in public sector. However no credible and responsible leader can go further than that.“I am a pragmatist. I appreciate that differing agendas and perspectives colour positions.“However if we wish to move Bermuda forward together we can truly do or we can play at it. Now is not the time to play.”Ms Cox added that she had e-mailed the BPSU and BIU leaders on Good Friday and they agreed to a 7.30am meeting the following Monday.Ms Cox said: “I am grateful and was pleased and we had a constructive cordial and pleasant meeting.”Ms Cox explained that in that same e-mail she asked them to reschedule the march for the day before she went away to the Bahamas and England on official business so that she could greet them. She said: “I thought they could have access. They opted not to.”Mr Grant said he welcomed the Premier's apparent willingness to take a pay-cut adding that it was the first time he had heard anything about it.He said: “I welcome it if she's willing to take the lead and others follow. But the question remains whether ministers will be willing to take a pay-cut.“We will need some time for this to sink it and we will have to discuss it further with members. I haven't received anything in writing saying this will happen.“We are meeting anyway (today) to discuss some of the issues and to discuss current negotiations. We have to put the facts to our members to see what they think.”