The Opposition has asked the Government to clarify its stance on a cost-cutting package for the public sector after its proposals were turned down by the fire and prison services.

Ben Smith, the Shadow Minister of National Security, said on Tuesday he was aware of “reports” that suggested that “unless all the unions agree to the deal, the deal is off the table”.

The Government announced on August 5 that the unions for the two uniformed services had rejected the proposals.

Chris Furbert, the president of the Bermuda Industrial Union, said on Tuesday that he was unaware of any plans to back out of the agreement.

Mr Furbert said that the main unions, including the BIU, had already agreed to the Government’s proposals.

The cost-saving measures for the Civil Service were revealed by Curtis Dickinson, the finance minister, in the wake of the massive economic damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The BIU backed the proposals, with the Bermuda Public Services Union and the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

The deal will start on August 1 for most public sector workers.

Cutbacks for teachers will come into force on September 1.

The Police Officers’ Association said on August 7 that it had yet to come to an agreement with the Government.

Mr Smith said the Government needed to clarify whether the lack of buy-in from prison and fire officers jeopardised the agreement with the other unions.

He highlighted that David Burt, the Premier, had expressed “profound disappointment” that the two groups had turned down the deal.

Mr Burt said the rejection of the proposals would mean an enforced pay cut for both uniformed services.

Mr Smith asked if that might mean that “other unions will no longer agree also”.

He added: “Will the Government really insist on an enforced pay cut for people who were on the front line during the Covid crisis?”

The One Bermuda Alliance MP also asked for details on how the deadlock would affect the Budget deficit.

Mr Dickinson said in May that his ministry’s target was “to keep the deficit for 2020-21 below $175 million”.

Mr Smith questioned if that target was still feasible.

He added: “We need some answers.”

The Government did not respond to a request for comment.