Labour Day: ‘Progress To A Fairer Bermuda’
The Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] is encouraging everyone to join in the Labour Day March and Rally at Union Square on Monday, September 3rd, starting at 11am as “we Progress to a Fairer Bermuda,” BTUC President Jason Hayward said.
Mr Hayward said, “The Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] encourages everyone to come out and join in the Labour Day March and Rally at Union Square on Monday, September 3, 2018 starting at 11 am as we ‘Progress to a Fairer Bermuda’. We are asking all to wear red which is the official colour of labour.
“Labour Day is the most significant day in our local calendar for Bermuda’s Labour Movement. This year’s theme provides workers with the opportunity to conduct a critical assessment of the work which still needs to be done to ensure a more equitable Bermuda for all citizens. Every worker should enjoy dignified working conditions and fair wages that enable them to enjoy a reasonable standard of living.
“The historic 1981 strike, headed by the BIU, was a fight for better wages for private and public-sector workers and was the catalyst for Bermuda’s official recognition of Labour Day. The first Labour Day holiday was held on Monday, September 6, 1982. This year marks the 37th observance of the Labour Day Holiday.
Mr. L. Frederick Wade JP, MP, the then Shadow Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, stated in his inaugural Labour Day Address:
“My fellow workers of Bermuda, it is indeed a special pleasure for me to bring you the celebration of Bermuda’s first Labour Day Holiday.
“I do so with special pride, as our Party, the Progressive Labour Party was directly responsible for taking the legislative motion to the House of Assembly, which made this happy occasion possible.
“I wish, at the outset of this message, to pledge to you that when the Progressive Labour Party becomes the Government at the next general election, we intend to change the date to the first Monday of May, as was the intent of our original motion. You the workers have indicated that you prefer to celebrate Labour Day in May, and this coincides with our wishes.
“The Progressive Labour Party is pleased that Bermuda’s first Labour Day Holiday comes on the eve of our 20th Anniversary. This achievement culminates in 20 years of progress for labour and the Progressive Labour Party.
“As with every achievement of the workers and their organization, this holiday was won only after a long struggle and even then the true wishes of the workers are never given to them in the manner in which the worker’s demand.
“On this our first Labour Day Holiday, the Progressive Labour Party asks all of Bermuda’s workers to reflect on the achievements of Labour and to look to the future of Bermuda. We ask that you remember your great leaders and that you renew your own commitment to your Labour party and your particular worker’s union.
“We in the Progressive Labour Party urge all workers, whether unionized or not, and indeed all Bermuda join together on this Labour Day celebration and all the activities planned by the Joint Labour Day Committee.
“We ask that you bring your family and let us together rekindle the spirit of Dr. E. F. Gordon and Leonard Bascome and rededicate our lives to move the country forward to a Labour Government and Independence.”
Mr Hayward said, “These words spoken on the eve of the PLP’s 20th Anniversary are still relevant now, 20 years after the PLP’s first election victory in 1998. It is important to note that Bermuda’s Labour Unions are still fighting for the recognition of May 1st, the date globally recognised as International Workers’ Day.
“Additionally, Bermuda, as a Country, still has not earnestly discussed the subject of Independence. However, more importantly, there are major concerns that we must tackle today. Our societal inequalities are growing, and the world of work is rapidly changing.
“The Labour Movement must continue our efforts to progress to a fairer Bermuda, ensuring that access to opportunities for economic prosperity are created and finding solutions to the high costs of healthcare and housing in Bermuda. We encourage you to join us in solidarity as we celebrate Labour Day.
“Labour Day is not just for unionised workers it is for all workers!”
Well thought out, Jason.
There was a blogger who speaks of plp spin.
Well, your task is before you and you are doing a brilliant job!!
Not quite that STRAIGHTFORWARD.
Where you gonna get the monies for Independence.
Research before you open your mouth and hide your gold chain.
I’m sure you think it’s a ‘fairer Bermuda’ when a government minister can blow $3,600 of taxpayer money on two days in Toronto.
Unions rooted in the past. This is not 1970s.
As long as you have employers that will hire a nanny to look after children, take them to soccer/ballet, wash and walk dog, wash clothes, clean house,get groceries for $300 a week……. I beg to differ with you.
And this is 2018.
Just shut up and pay me for de Holiday
Thats a reasonable amount to spend. You been to Toronto lately? It’s not cheap especially during baseball season!
BS…$3600 for two nights is NOT reasonable at all.
You, as usual, have no idea what you’re talking about.
As usual? You don’t know me so shut up! Airfare is $1,400 for restricted economy and hotel is $184 per night plus tax. And taxi is $65 each way plus $100 per dirk etc. – Just do the math dumb a$$!
If hotels are $184 a night, how did he spend $1,610 on accomodation for two nights?
Do the math, dumba$$.
You know nothing…you can’t even add…dumb
The bollocks you people come out with to justify these idiots.
Money does not have a colour and it migrates to where it is respected. These jokers think anybody whoever ran a business is on a hustle when in fact it is a hard grind. I propose a Tax Payer Strike effective immediately until Government and Labour Unions start to support trade instead of always abusing it.
Here here! Totally agree!
I think it’s high time for a bout of civil disobedience ie not paying taxes or pension
“Every worker should enjoy dignified working conditions and fair wages that enable them to enjoy a reasonable standard of living”
And if the cost of living in Bermuda rises significantly as a result and all the money leaves for friendlier shores then the Unions will have what they want. A country for the workers, by the workers where all businesses are owned and operated by the workers.
“Additionally, Bermuda, as a Country, still has not earnestly discussed the subject of Independence”
I think you mean since 1995 when we had a referendum on the issue.
Independence is a dream the plp/biu love to dangle in front of you but the truth is,it’s never going to happen!
Mr Hayward seems to think money grows on trees.
As the PLP elite esconced in Tuckers Town sip English tea and nibble French pastries all dressed up in their fancy hats and gloves…
Surely you mean The Dorchester. They don’t do local anymore, beneath them.
“Every worker should enjoy dignified working conditions and fair wages that enable them to enjoy a reasonable standard of living”
Does that include us workers who rely on the bus to go to work? No more strikes please and how about us workers who have to put up with stinking garbage and rats because our trash pickups have been reduced to once a week.
Us workers who pay their taxes, work hard, turn up on time, work overtime without any compensation and keep our heads down to keep our jobs, can we be allowed to do our jobs without the unions screwing up our living conditions????
“and how about us workers who have to put up with stinking garbage and rats because our trash pickups have been reduced to once a week.”
If people kept their trash properly in bins and put it out ONLY on the morning of collection there would be no difference in the number of rats , which happen to be with us all the time .
I want a tax refund since I pay for my trash to be picked up twice a week!!!!!! Bunch of jokers!!!!
It’s great to see they have solved the problem of underfunded pensions. We just all work until we die and never collect the pension. Simple. They are financial geniuses.
I still remember when the PLP took a ‘holiday’ from paying into the pension fund. They threw away our future, spending it on foreign consultants and lavish overseas travel.
And then this guy comes on and wants to pretend he’s all for ‘workers’. Yeah, until they want to spend your pension fund and make you work till you drop dead.
Yada! Yada! Yada!
Same old tired rhetoric. I’m so sick of hearing it! Jason Hayward, Ed Ball and the rest of the union guys need to practice more of what they preach. In my opinion they’re nothing but a bunch getting paid bucks for doing virtually nothing!!!
March for equality is that a joke?
Glad I left baby hahaaaa
I doubt very much if Vector are doing their jobs, mosquitoes are every where as open pots are responsible.
I caught 8 rats in 2017 ,this year I have caught 4 rats so far.
The last one ,Uncle Tom, was very large and exceptionally cunning, it took me about a month using many different types of mechanical devices.
For rats disposal, I am not in favour of using poison with a half life which goes on to kill otther animals.
Once rats set up residence in your house roof , you are in big trouble as rats carry killer diseases.
Not to mention the ones that knock on your door every four years or so… the worst kind!
Mister Hayward works in the civil service on the Gov payroll for years and has that experience. Try the private sector for 5 years and then tell us what you know.
‘As We Progress to a Fairer Bermuda’……….Why (pray tell) would a Union then craft their employment (Bargaining) agreement with Gov, with a stipulation that does NOT require performance appraisals for union employees, thereby lowering their performance/accountability standard from virtually all others in the general workplace?
How educated is this guy? Does he have a degree in Finance or Exonomics? It does not appear that he does based up his quotes.