Angry workers yesterday said they’d only accept overtime cuts if Government Ministers lead by example and slash their own pay.Hundreds of Bermuda Industrial Union members packed into St Paul Centennial Hall to hear president Chris Furbert give an update on pay negotiations with Government at a hot-tempered four-hour meeting.Many of them spilled onto the streets to vent their anger, claiming Government requested they take a wage freeze and accept straight time pay when working overtime.Some predicted a riot and others said it was going to be “like Egypt”, with Mr Furbert later confirming he was going back to Government to express workers’ points of view.Numerous members told The Royal Gazette they are unhappy Ministers are keeping their own salaries, most of which remain at least $168,000 a year.One man said: “Government wants us to freeze wages and lose overtime. The union is saying go for it, but the workers are saying hell no.”Another said: “Those salaries are exorbitant. If I was making $150,000 a year, I could truly tell you I could save $100,000 a year and live well on the remaining $50,000.“They could then use that $100,000 to do something better with it. You can tell from the turnout how everyone feels.”Another said: “It’s always the small man who has to take the hit. The Ministers need to lead by example and take a hit themselves.”One man said the meeting appeared to have been timed for shortly before workers are hit with a health insurance rise.“They are trying to get it out the way because they know we’ll be angry about that,” he said.Others complained many unnecessary consultants, given lucrative contracts by former Premier Ewart Brown, are still bloating the bill at everyone else’s expense.Most said a strike should only be a last resort, with many saying they’d be prepared to take a hit if those at the top do likewise.“I don’t mind taking home a bit less money, but they should take a cut too,” said one.“Paula Cox is still getting her money. I think it needs to start from the top. Paula Cox, the Governor, a little bit of money. It hurts us because we are at the bottom.”One man claimed money was being wasted elsewhere, saying: “I’m for tourism, but it’s not for our Country. It’s not sustainable. It’s not bringing in that many people consistently so we can’t say we are going to get it back. They should put that money into something practical.”Another said workers should be prepared to suffer to a certain extent: “If we get two slices of the loaf, it’s better than no loaf. A little blessing goes a long way.”But he continued: “Cabinet should take a pay cut. They should set an example for everyone else. If the guy underneath is taking a cut, the guy above should take a cut.“They need to start from the top. All for one, one for all.”Another pointed to the rising cost of living, saying: “Everything goes up: rent, mortgages, groceries, nursery. If we have a wage freeze, it’s effectively a pay cut.”One woman, describing herself as a leading postlady, said: “Don’t ask us to take a pay freeze while you live the Life of Riley. Make sacrifices. That goes for both parties.”After the meeting, Mr Furbert declined to say what Government had offered.“I’m going to report back to Government,” he said. On the response of the workers, he added: “I thought it was very encouraging.”In January, Public Works staff agreed to be paid their regular wage instead of double time when they work overtime, on the condition that Government made cuts elsewhere in its February Budget. That was intended to save Government $1.5 million a year, while staving off job losses.But in recent days Premier Ms Cox has come under pressure to review the amount paid to parliamentarians; she has an annual salary of $224,000; Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess has $181,000; Attorney General Michael Scott $193,000 and other full-time Ministers $168,000.The Premier, through her press secretary, did not respond to requests for a comment yesterday.