The Junior Minister of Labour has defended Government against accusations of riding "roughshod" over workers' rights.

Commenting on the recent stand-off with the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) over Government's review of its Arbitration Award, Walter Roban said: "We simply followed the law."

Mr. Roban told MPs in the House of Assembly: "It is time to set the record straight and disabuse the community of any suggestion that this Government is anti-union or in any way not supportive of the labour movement. Such suggestions are preposterous.

"This Government was born from the labour movement. This Government has achieved its historical support from the labour movement. This Government continues to respect the rights of workers and recognises that it is because of workers that Bermuda is the success story that it is today.

"Contrary to suggestions that Government, and the Minister with responsibility for labour matters, has run roughshod over the law and traditions of union-employee relations, I reiterate that with regard to the Government's actions concerning the Arbitration between the Bermuda Public Services Union and the Government, we simply followed the law."

Mr. Roban said either party could question an award with the Arbitration panel under Section 25 of the Labour Relations Act.

"The Minister with responsibility for Labour matters (Senator David Burch) must protect the law pertaining to industrial matters and to ensure that a climate is maintained whereby the tripartite parties — that is Labour, Employers and Government, can work harmoniously," he said.

"Having received the award from the Tribunal, the Minister was concerned that the panel had exceeded its Terms of Reference and had acted outside of the law with regard to its order of a refund of superannuation payments.

"As provided for by Section 25 of the Act, the Minister invited the Tribunal to reconsider."

Mr. Roban then explained the panel's decision — to replace the refund of a one percent pensions payment increase (April 2008-9) with a one percent pay rise for one year.

"For the avoidance of doubt, we are only making one Award and the effect of it is that the total increase for the third year salary (2007-8) shall be five percent," he said.

"That award is binding — it is legal and as such both the Government and the Government negotiating team accept the award."

He added: "This Government is committed to working with all stakeholders towards better industrial relations — and that is precisely what we intend to do."

The pay award last week brought to an end months of wrangling between BPSU workers and Government.

The dispute culminated on Wednesday — just three days after union members marched on Parliament in protest at Government's rejection of their binding Arbitration Award.

The BPSU — which represents up to 3,000 civil servants, had not ruled out strike action if Government continued to contest it.