Premier Paula Cox today issued a statement welcoming the BPSU’s decision to accept a 1.25 percent pay rise.Members voted to accept the rise yesterday ending a row between the union and Government which had seen BPSU members march on Cabinet. They wanted to see Ministers take a symbolic pay cut and demanded a price freeze on essential goods.In her statement the Premier said: “We welcome the considered efforts of the BPSU membership to agree to a 1.25 percent wage increase for the period October 2010 to September 2011.@$:“I see this as a very positive step as we look to move aggressively to reduce government expenditures and live within our means. Our Ministers and MP’s since 2009 have been under a wage freeze and this modest wage increase of 1.25 percent for Civil servants shows good faith on the part of the BPSU membership, and recognition for the difficult global economic conditions that still exist today.“As I articulated in my Budget 2011/12, the Bermuda Government must take appropriate steps to effectively manage its expenditure as we transition from one of the most severe shocks to the global financial system to a slow economic recovery. As we traverse this “new normal” together we in Government welcome the prospect of working more effectively with our Civil servants to collectively tackle the challenges ahead. Bermuda needs the Bermuda Government and its Civil Service to be exceptional.”