Hundreds of union workers gatecrashed the Throne Speech yesterday as they marched on Cabinet in a dispute over pay.

In an unprecedented move, Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) white-collar workers walked from BPSU headquarters to the Cabinet grounds at about 10.30 a.m. just before the speech was due to start.

They stopped to make way for the Governor Sir Richard Gozney to deliver the Government's legislative programme for the year.

It came shortly after weekend ferry services suffered a blow as Bermuda Industrial Union members agreed to work to rule in protest over the sacking of drunk ferry pilot Dwayne Pearman.

According to BPSU president Armell Thomas, Government has offered members a four percent increase, subtracting one percent for pensions. Members want a 5.1 percent increase as many have to work an additional job to make enough money to live on.

The walk began shortly after a meeting at BPSU headquarters to update members on pay negotiations. Led by three people holding a BPSU banner, members walked along Cedar Avenue, Burnaby Street and Front Street before being allowed onto Cabinet grounds — although a Royal Gazette reporter was denied entry.

The group then walked up Parliament Street and down Reid Street and stopped at the back of Cabinet where they began chanting as onlookers waited for the Members of Parliament.

When Premier Ewart Brown, Opposition leader Kim Swan and other MPs walked down the steps of the House of Assembly to Cabinet for the reading of the Throne Speech, the group began to sing: "We shall overcome." As the MPs left, they began chanting: "We want our pay — now."

Moments later, the group walked back down Front Street and up Burnaby Street back to BPSU headquarters where Mr. Thomas gave a short speech.

"Today we are moving forward," he said. "This is a great turnout, thank you very much. The message has been sent out strong. All for one and one for all.

"The purpose of the meeting is to update the members about negotiations from the civil servants. We have to go back and meet with the Premier. I don't know when that meeting will take place but I have sent a letter. We are negotiating salaries."

Asked why they marched on Cabinet grounds, Mr. Thomas said: "Anyone can attend so we did it as a body. It's not a march. We walked on the sidewalk. No one tried to stop us."

Speaking to The Royal Gazette after the walk, Mr. Thomas explained that the decision to attend the Throne Speech had been made during the meeting about pay negotiations.

The president said the cost of living was currently increasing at 4.7 percent – meaning the proposed four percent rise was not enough.

He added: "Our position wasn't to embarrass Government, just to have a presence of our members. Our presence speaks volumes and our numbers speak volumes. I don't know if they took it as embarrassment.

"If I would have did it again, it would have been done the same way. If we had enough time to actually get permission to march on the road, we would have actually did that. That's the reason we walked on the sidewalk."

Negotiations will start again in July, he said. They are now in the third year of the last contract negotiating salaries.

At the gatecrashing, 15 Government divisions were present along with private sector divisions including Cable and Wireless, M3 Wireless, American Airlines, Marine and Ports, Customs, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute.

Mr. Thomas said: "We actually hold the keys to the success of Bermuda. I'm not threatening anybody or anything like that. We have a lot of support if we want to use it. We want to give the opportunity to the Premier and the Minister of Finance to state their position and let us know exactly where to go."

Dr. Brown, who said Government would be meeting with the leadership, told a press conference he was surprised to see the BPSU demonstration.

He added: "But democracy is alive and well in Bermuda and people are free to do that and they were singing a song with which I am quite familiar."

And the Premier, who is also Tourism Minister, revealed the BPSU's year-long wait to get union recognition approved for overseas Tourism staff was coming to an end.

"The Attorney General has advised that if the staff in the overseas office wishes to sign an agreement or sign up with the union they are free to do so," he said.

When this newspaper asked Press Secretary Glenn Jones if the Premier had anything further to say yesterday afternoon, it was told 'not at this time'.