Unions representing public sector workers will have a response to the Premier’s pension freeze and wage cut proposal by Monday, it was announced yesterday.The various unions involved had “lengthy and productive” meetings with Government at the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters yesterday, according to Trade Union Congress President Shine Hayward.“We had a lengthy and productive meeting with Government and among ourselves. We are currently awaiting a mandate from a few of our respective memberships, correspondence will be going out to Government and by Monday we will have a definitive response,” said Mr Hayward.Government has proposed that public sector workers take a pay cut matched by a freeze in pensions contributions.The arrangement will not adversely impact workers’ take home pay.The Bermuda Public Service Union and the Bermuda Industrial Union have presented counter proposals to the Government.Premier Paula Cox told the media after the meeting that she sensed that there was a “shared sense of sacrifice”.“I think the fact that people are talking is always good. I think there is a shared sense of sacrifice. I think that people are realistic as to the fact that Government and the country are going through difficult times, and the public sector workers have to show a sense of identity with those in the private sector,” she said.An agreement reached after the Budget debate begins will only mean “unexpected savings” which will benefit the people of Bermuda, she added.And she said she understood that the unions wanted the agreement reached to be equitable and fair to all the unions.Asked for a hint of what to expect in today’s Budget Statement, the Premier said that it will reflect that Government is “seeking to do the right thing and to keep the country moving in the right direction. But doing it with a sense of responsiveness and responsibility”.