The Bermuda Trade Union Congress has released the following statement after a second day of disruption to public services as a result of the standoff with the Bermuda Government on the future of the furlough day arrangement.

“The BTUC agreed to work with the Government to ensure that budget cuts were reached. We applauded this partnership, and entered into it with an open heart, open mind, determined feet and strong hands; because we truly believe that the peoples’ interest must be held as sacred. We had faith that the Government meant the people well and we truly believed from the bottom of our hearts that they held our peoples’ interest in high regard.

“We were willing to make the sacrifices and to negotiate reasonably so that the ship of state could get into safe harbour. While we were operating in good faith at the table, the Government was operating under the table in bad faith. We are now fully convinced that this Government’s currency is eloquent words along with mistrustful deeds. This means that we can no longer trust one iota of this Government’s words. The Government makes promises simply to break them, and offers commitment only to discard it.

“At this point, our only response is — the people first, the people second, and the people third! We will fight to defend the people’s rights, the people’s desires, the people’s aspirations and the people’s determination for a better today and a sustainable tomorrow!

“We will fight for justice, equity, transparency, and good governance! We want to see public morality implemented in the way in which this Government operates in Bermuda. You cannot say one thing and operate otherwise!

“We put the Government on warning — we are on the right side of history and we shall not be moved! Just like a tree planted by the waters, we shall not be moved!”