Unions resorted to industrial action over furlough days prematurely and unnecessarily, according to former Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, who said the Island’s image had suffered as a result.

Mr Edness said that while he was minister in the early 1990s, he managed to broker better relations between the Bermuda Industrial Union and hotel bosses.

“I worked with people — I made people go out of the room and solve their problems, and there were people who can back it up,” the former United Bermuda Party minister said.

“There was never a settlement with hotel workers — it always had to go to arbitration. I was the minister who caused the then leaders, Derrick Burgess, a friend of mine, and John Harvey, to work out a solution.”

Mr Edness said the hotels sector had resolved its agreements ever since, adding: “I believe that’s what can happen here.”

He said he was a friend of BIU president Chris Furbert and general secretary Molly Burgess, who is his cousin.

“I don’t normally like to criticise them; I have always supported what they were all about,” Mr Edness said.

“Even when I was minister, I had a supporting eye for what they were doing.

“In this latest incident, I feel I have to criticise it on behalf on the country.

“It was an unnecessary show of power to bring out all sections, including transportation, Belco and all of the civil service.

“All they needed to do was have one or two representatives from each union to meet with Government and negotiate. They could be in the same position right now without disrupting the country.

“We may never know the cost to tourism or international business.”

Mr Edness said large-scale demonstrations could have a similar effect to the general strike of 1981, with Bermuda being watched closely after securing the 2017 America’s Cup.

“It does not help to give people the confidence that our country is stable and progressive, and it’s something we have to worry about,” he said.

He maintained that furlough days had saved jobs, and that the alternative was “too harsh”.

“We have a massive debt, can’t pay our bills, and may have to borrow more money,” he said.

“Employment has been increased across Government, and now something like 47 per cent of earnings are going into salaries. It has to change.

“The reason I am speaking now is that I want the unions to know that there are thousands of people in this country who disagree with what they did. All it does is hurt the country and the very people they are trying to help.”