Full Text: Kim Swan 2010 Labour Day Speech
Below follows the full speech given this morning [Sept 6] by the Leader of the Opposition Kim.Swan for the Labour Day occasion:
Good Day brothers and sisters of Labour.
Whilst it is always a honour to address you on Labour Day, the past year has been tough on everyone in Bermuda.
In Bermuda today we face serious challenges economically and socially and not since WW2 have we been so challenged.
With unprecedented joblessness, prolific murders and a growing gang culture fuelled by the drug trade.
We all agree that we have a multitude of problems all hitting us all at once.
At the Annual Labour Day Banquet last Friday night keynote speaker Mr. David Bascome spoke of the importance of Unity and Responsibility.
Today our country desperately needs for its people to Unite and take Responsibility for turning our country around.
Brothers and Sisters I feel your Pain!
As a former President of the Bermuda Professional Golfers Association, I have great empathy for the plight of workers in Bermuda ~ especially those in hospitality ~ like Musicians, Taxi Operators, Golf Professionals, Hotel Workers, Tour Operators, Retailers, but, those concern are universal as the challenges we face are widespread throughout our country, with workers and their families across the spectrum experiencing difficulties and tough times.
With both the impact of the global economic downturn and the state of our local economy ~ life has been made more difficult for workers, working families and employers in Bermuda.
Personally, I know how it hurts when you find it difficult to work in your chosen field or profession.
During this prolonged recession many of our people have had to be humble and take employment where ever they can find it.
I salute them!
More than ever the working man and woman need the representation and the reassurance that their union family provide.
We in the United Bermuda Party have often mentioned the need for Leadership by example.
Today, I would like to highlight one such example.
Today, I must give credit and acknowledge an announcement made earlier this year and emphasised at the 3rd Quadrennial Delegates Conference.
Earlier this year BIU President Chris Furbert announced that hotel employers and hotel workers agreed to accept a wage freeze ~ a major announcement that demonstrated good faith.
Clearly it was an act of hotel employers, employees and the union working together and acting responsibly during tough times.
An act that builds a trust bond between the employer, employee and their union; and more importantly preserved jobs during uncertain times.
In my estimation this announcement by BIU President Chris Furbert and the Hotel Employers was huge!
A major announcement that demonstrated Leadership and good faith.
Going forward this country needs to follow that cooperative spirit and keep our business viable and our people employed.
Indeed, Mr David Bascome’s call for Unity and Responsibility has already been practised by the union and employers in Bermuda.
Something good and extremely positive that I feel Bermuda needs to be reminded of and the parties involved celebrated.
Workers will always need representation ~ as long as the workers of this island experience injustice, unfairness and abuse exist; the labour movement will be there.
The cause of justice, fairness and respect will always require an advocate to protect the worker.
That’s why we are here!
But with this real example demonstrated we do have a model to embrace during difficult times.
On behalf of my colleagues in the United Bermuda Party, I salute the labour movement.
