The first of a series of Bermuda Government overtime cuts was announced yesterday as Premier Paula Cox's plan for multi-million dollar savings kicks into action.The Swing Bridge, which connects St George's Island with St David's Island, will be open for 30 minutes less at the beginning and end of each day from Monday, the Public Works Ministry revealed. According to a statement, the move is “part of a concerted effort to reduce overtime costs across the Government”.Sources say reducing staff overtime is one of the Finance Minister's key ways of making $150 million savings in her first fiscal year as Premier.Further cuts are expected in areas such as waste management, with insiders saying Ms Cox could face an angry reaction from workers who rely on overtime to supplement their wages.But the Premier has long pointed to efficiencies within the civil service, and is said to be very keen on ending a culture of unnecessary claims on overtime.Yesterday a spokeswoman for the Government said: “The Government of Bermuda's strategy in these challenging times is to preserve jobs and income for families at the least cost to the taxpayer. The cost-saving measures have been similar to measures taken in many other jurisdictions in North America and Europe.“Government's handling of the economy and its finances has been prudent and Government's strategy for 2011-2012 will be laid out in the National Budget Statement in February 2011.”The United Bermuda Party yesterday accused Government of letting workers down by failing to prepare for the recession, while the Bermuda Democratic Alliance again called for Ms Cox to reveal exactly how she's going to make big savings.Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards said in a statement: “Before commenting in detail on Government austerity measures, it is important for everyone to recognise how we got to this point.“For any worker who has to explain to his family why there is less money to spend on groceries, he can tell them it's because the Government for years has been spending the public's money like a drunken sailor, showing little care when building projects went wildly over budget and spending on outside consultants to help them govern.“He can tell them it's because the Government did not prepare the Country for recession despite widespread warnings it was coming.“And he can tell them it's because they borrowed so much money that it costs them more than $100,000 a day just to pay for the interest on the borrowed money. Finally, he can say the Government emptied the cupboard, so now they're coming after guys like me to make up for their mistakes.“We will have more to say on what Bermuda needs to do to pull itself out of its economic tailspin in the days and weeks ahead.”BDA finance spokesman Michael Fahy said: “We have been calling for clarity from the Premier on how she intends to save the $150 million that she undertook to save. Perhaps this is an indication of things to come.“The fact is massive savings need to be made. If this is just the tip of the iceberg of the methodology to be used in saving money then the Premier must say so.“Indeed, if it is, we wonder why this had not already been done. We need to know the plan it is time for transparency so those that will personally be affected can plan for their futures.”Bermuda Public Services Union president Armell Thomas yesterday said the union was not aware of any proposed overtime cuts, with Chris Furbert, the leader of the Bermuda Industrial Union which represents those affected by the Swing Bridge reduction, could not be reached yesterday. Meanwhile all civil servants are asked to attend a BPSU meeting over salary negotiations next Tuesday at the New Testament Church of God.Some civil servants believe the meeting could give them an update on talks over a proposed pay rise which was rejected last year.Eighteen months ago, the BPSU accepted a salary increase below the cost of living due to the economy, with Mr Thomas saying at that time: “If we are tightening up our belts and showing we are doing the right thing, we will also try to make sure the Government does the right thing, as we don't want to be sold down the road if the Government continues to spend.”For the winter months, Swing Bridge will be open from 7.45am to 4.15pm; for the summer it will be open from 7.45am to 6.15pm. Government urges mariners to arrive in good time as late arrivals will not be accommodated.Are you affected by Government overtime cutbacks? E-mail news[AT]royalgazette.bm