Organised labour is willing to collaborate with Government to help the Country recover, said Bermuda Public Services Union president Kevin Grant.“The Government has started reaching out to stakeholders and hopefully this will continue. As I have mentioned before the new Government will have to establish a rapport that will be conducive for open and frank dialogue,” Mr Grant said.“However, there is some ground work that will have to happen before relationships can be established.“An important aspect of this is recognising and acknowledging the interests of the stakeholders involved.“Trade unions are well aware that in the macro-environment economic conditions will drive labour relations but more importantly impact negotiations.“In considering these economic conditions, the BPSU along with the BTUC [Bermuda Trade Union Congress] have shown its commitment by considering options that are in the best interest of the Country.“Last year a majority of us were willing to suspend contributions and take a reduction in pensions in order to agree to what I believe was a more pragmatic way of preserving jobs.“Now for me, that sort of commitment shows that we are more than willing to be a part of a collaborative effort to get the Country back on its feet.“I hope that the dialogue continues on a regular basis, forums like the Labour Advisory Council and the reinstatement of the Economic Advisory Committee, will be critical in establishing that all stakeholders can engage and have buy in on the revival of the economy.”Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy last week said that the One Bermuda Alliance administration was committed to “open and frank communication” with organised labour.Senator Fahy said he held his first meeting with the BTUC on February 11 and that the first Labour Advisory Council meeting is due to take place on February 25.“I want to assure all residents that whether you are blue collar or white collar — Bermudians must and will come first in our economy,” the Minister said.“Simply put, this Government is focused on recovering, rebuilding and restoring the promise of Bermuda and despite our recent labour impasses, I believe a collaborative approach is still very much possible, and I look forward to working with our unions to bridge the divide so that we can collectively ensure that Bermuda is put firmly back on course towards prosperity for all.”