The Bermuda Public Services Union launched the first in a series of ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions for members on how to navigate funds in tough economic times.The series offers members a host of information on cost saving measures and financial planning to rights as it relates to landlords and tenants.Research training officer Thelma Hart said the idea was spawned as a result of the “current harsh economic climate and the recent negotiations between the Bermuda Trade Union Congress and the Government to implement cost savings measures for Government expenditure”.The initiative by the union’s Benefits and Education Committees will see three more sessions held at BPSU headquarters on Thursdays on October 17, 24 and 31.“The sessions are designed to enlighten members and the public on topics such as the Rent Commission, Financial Assistance, Tips for Reducing your Belco Bill and Budgeting.“This initiative is in alignment with BPSU’s mission to provide effective labour and community relations,” said Ms Hart.“It offers members and the public opportunities to gain knowledge and network around crucial subjects to facilitate personal economic adjustments/sustainment.“The BPSU is pleased to partner with Government and private sector agents to assist with social and economic challenges.”Moderator David Minors, this week, told the small group of union members gathered at BPSU headquarters that in tough economic times “it’s vitally important to share information with members”.Rent Commissioner Eugene Foley, the first speaker, discussed his department’s mandate “to protect the welfare of the community from unreasonable rent increases, unlawful evictions”.That responsibility also includes educating the public on “the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants”.“We have the power to regulate how much a landlord can increase his rent, we also control how often a rent can be increased,” said Mr Foley.“We can limit how much a landlord can charge for an apartment, we hear and rule on undesirable tenant cases.“And if one is not behaving themselves we have the power to instigate proceedings against anyone who contravenes the law.”He noted that to him, that’s “a minor feature”. “I haven’t done that for years and the penalties are not very much, a $1,000 fine or maybe prison for up to six months.“But what happens when a landlord overcharges a tenant or charges a tenant an unlawful rent, many times he has to refund the excess — the overpaid rent. And that could run into the tens of thousands of dollars.“The provisions of the act currently applies to a single tenancy of a residential unit that currently has an annual rental value of $27,000 or less.”Other speakers included Rita Love-Daniels of the Department of Financial Assistance and Fitzgerald Williams, a social worker.Topics to be discussed over the next three weeks include ‘Tips for Reducing Your Belco Bill’, and a session on ‘Budgeting’.