A two-day gathering of delegates from Government, the unions and private sector representatives to tackle Bermuda’s precarious economic situation began this morning.

Premier Craig Cannonier warned the tripartite economic committee of a continued backslide if the Island’s challenges cannot be addressed.

“There is an urgency of now — you’ve heard this phrase,” Mr Cannonier told the meeting at the Fairmont Southampton hotel. “Unless we find a way to sit at a table like this and really hash out what’s needed to move us forward, then this wonderful place we call Bermuda will continue to have the challenges we’ve seen.”

The meeting rose out of negotiations between Government and unions that resulted in July’s memorandum of understanding with unions on a pay cut for civil servants.

Calling for open collaboration on a long-term plan, Mr Cannonier urged delegates: “Say what you have to say so that we can get this job done.”

Arising on behalf of the Bermuda Trade Union Congress, Bermuda Industrial Union head Chris Furbert asked why members of the Progressive Labour Party hadn’t been invited.

Saying he understood the desire not to have the retreat made into a political issue, Mr Furbert added: “By not inviting them, it became political.”

Committee chairman and Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said the issue had been covered at last month’s introductory meeting of the delegates.

“You will not hear us today slamming the previous Government,” Senator Fahy said. “We’re not here to lay blame.”

He added: “Politicians, when we get in the room, we tend to grandstand.”

BTUC chairman Allan Wilkinson said the negotiations in July hadn’t been easy, but the unions were “a social partner in trying to assist the Country on behalf of the people we represent, to try to come up with inventive ideas”.

Also in attendance were Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons and Finance Minister Bob Richards.

The group’s private meetings will continue tomorrow.