Government will join with Bermuda’s unions to form a committee that will examine civil service reforms, as labour organisations remain staunchly opposed to the Public Bodies Reform Act in its present form.

The Bermuda Trade Union Congress (BTUC) reported this afternoon on two meetings held this month with Premier Michael Dunkley and members of the One Bermuda Alliance Cabinet — concerning the Act and the Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission recommendations on which the legislation is based.

“The BTUC made its position quite clear to the Government that the congress could not support the Public Reform Act, which could lead to privatisation, mutualisation or outsourcing of Government workers’ jobs, without first having a real conversation about public service reform,” the BTUC statement read.

The union group favours a three- to five-year deficit budget reduction plan, as well as putting the Act “on hold”.

“The Premier agreed that the Government will not proceed with the Public Bodies Reform Act at this time,” the statement concluded.

Although Finance Minister Bob Richards has argued that the reforms proposed would not lead to job losses, the Government has been accused of attempting to force cuts on the civil service.