BIU Joins Bermuda Trade Union Congress
At a press conference held yesterday [May 14] at the Bermuda Public Services Union’s Headquarters, Wendell “Shine” Hayward, President of the Bermuda Trade Union Congress [BTUC] used the opportunity to share what he described as a historic turn of events as it pertains to trade unionism in Bermuda.
“Last week this time, if reference was to be made to the various trade unions that exist in Bermuda, it would have been done as the Bermuda Trade Union Congress and the Bermuda Industrial Union,” Mr. Hayward told the assembled media.
“Today, our excitement lies in the fact that, having been invited by the BTUC to join our ranks, the Bermuda Industrial Union [BIU] has accepted our invitation and are now the newest Member Trade Union of the Bermuda Trade Union Congress.”
From left to right: Craig Clark, President, Prison Officers Association, Armel Thomas, Past President, Bermuda Public Services Union, Keisha Douglas, President, Bermuda Union of Teachers, Kevin Grant, President, Bermuda Public Services Union, Wendell (Shine) Hayward, President, Bermuda Trade Union Congress, Mike Charles, General Secretary, Bermuda Union of Teachers, Chris Furbert, President, Bermuda Industrial Union, Alan Wilknson, President, Bermuda Fire Services Association, Selena Burrows, Secretary, Electricity Supply Trades Union, Maynard Dill, Committee Member, Electricity Supply Trades Union.
Mr. Hayward then congratulated the Bermuda Industrial Union who was represented at the event by President, Chris Furbert and other members of the BIU Executive Board. Mr. Hayward noted that history had been made as all registered trade unions in Bermuda now fall under the Bermuda Trade Union Congress.
“As the BIU has always chanted, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”, we take this motto one step further to say “It is better to swim together than to drown alone”, concluded Mr. Hayward.
Responding on behalf of the BIU, President Chris Furbert said that he believed that this was a great day for labour in Bermuda for the BIU to become of member of the B.T.U.C.
“The matter was put to our General Council last week and the BIU decided to put its differences of the past aside so that all unions can now speak with one voice,” said Mr. Furbert.
“We all recognize that trade unions, not just in Bermuda, but around the world, are under threat. After working with the BTUC a few months ago with regards to the Superannuation Pension Fund, we all realized that we have more in common than what would keep us apart”.
BPSU President, Kevin Grant said that this was a dream come true for the first President of the BPSU, Mrs. Betty Christopher who had always pushed for the merger to come about. The Bermuda Trade Union Congress was registered in 1998 as was suggested by the Caribbean Congress of Labour.
Anyone up for a game of darts?
Now i find this interesting…Furbert decides to join forces when his back is against the wall but when others called on him in the past he wanted no part…i really want to see how this turns out.
You have no idea what you’re talking about. The decision not to join the TUC was made long befoe Chris Furbert became President. But as he said at the press conference, “The BIU decided to put its differences of the past aside so that all unions can now speak with one voice.”
…there is tyranny in numbers…
i wanna know who is going to represent me from this lot?
Chris take a pay cut Furbert = waste of time.
Lavern foot in the mouth Furbert = waste of time.
When will they be taking Brown to court?