Bathsheba Jones

Mr. N. Dill
Preserving Our Heritage
20 October 2015

Trade Unions Exerting Resilience & Promoting Solidarity in Bermuda

The Bermuda Public Service Union, the Bermuda Industrial Union, and The Bermuda Union of
Teachers all fight for the rights of workers in Bermuda and they span over almost all sectors of
employment in the island. In addition there are many other ways to preserve Bermuda's heritage
besides promoting solidarity, such as economically, through laws and regulations, and practical
measures. Trade unions in Bermuda by promoting solidarity help to preserve a significant part of
Bermuda's heritage which is the acquisition of workers rights.
The Bermuda Union of Teachers was the first union ever formed in Bermuda, and it was
founded in 1919. This union formed to justify the equality needed for their pay and also as a
result of the trouble caused by the death of three of their fellow teachers. They began issuing
scholarships to students so that theyll be able to attend high school, this was one of their first
acts of promoting solidarity and preserving Bermudas heritage through educational
opportunities. This then distinguished underprivileged students from the privileged and also
encouraged black progression in society as educated individuals. Also meetings for this
organization were held in various locations such as the basement of St.Pauls A.M.E Church,
Imperial Hotel, Alaska Hall, and Brunswick Hall to name a few. These meetings for the most part
happened in secrecy but they still occurred and therefor they were still promoting their solidarity.
Their first public meeting was in 1926 and in 1933 they advocated for teachers salaries to be
paid monthly instead of quarterly. In 1938 they recommended that elementary school teachers
salaries be reviewed. The B.U.T petitioned for higher salaries in the House of Assembly in 1946,
and later in 1947 the B.U.T became the first registered trade union. This union portrayed high

Bathsheba Jones
Mr. N. Dill
Preserving Our Heritage
20 October 2015
levels of resilience by demanding what they deserved and not giving up and by doing this they
contributed to the preservation of Bermudas heritage. They also remained in solidified
throughout their endeavors and others by issuing scholarships which was exhibiting solidarity in
their community.
The Bermuda Public Service Union was established in 1952 under the title as The Civil Service
Association. This association was formed because of Senior Civil Servants who were not
satisfied with their terms and conditions concerning their employment and began to seek
enhancement. The founders of this association were Mr. Randolph Gauntlett, Mr. Martin Godet,
and Mr. Donald. J Williams. Along with the B.U.T the Bermuda Public Service Union met in the
shadows, and discussed a proposal to the Government with the plan to help out with upgrading
Professional Standards in The Civil Service. Their objectives were:
*To secure the greatest measure of co-operation between the Government in its capacity as
employer and the general body of Civil Servants in matters affecting the Civil Service.
*To provide ways and means from the general principles governing conditions of service, that is
its recruitment, tenure, and hours of duty, conduct, promotion, remuneration and superannuation.
*To enhance efficiency in the public service by bringing together the experience and different
points of view of members of the service.
Government feared what might happen within the Civil Service, and they did not want to see
the local civil service unionised. Their motive was not to become a trade union, but once
registered, came under the Trade Union and Disputes Act, 1946. The founders were asked to
appear before the Executive Council and had to convince them that their motives were in the best

Bathsheba Jones
Mr. N. Dill
Preserving Our Heritage
20 October 2015
interest of the country. In 1966 this association with a membership of 420 individuals became
registered under the 1946 Trade Union act. In a connection with other local organizations and
Unions such as the Bermuda Industrial Union helped propose the introduction of the Official
Secrets Act. They eventually went public about their organization and still remained solidified.
They also helped to preserve Bermudas heritage by advocating in a 12 day long strike in 1973
because of the governments refusal to use an arbitrator to settle the ruling on wages, and as a
result they were awarded with a 13.5 % wage increase. In conclusion all of these
accomplishments highlight the solidarity exhibited by this union through strikes and also
preserve the heritage thorough resilience after their eventual pay rise so that everyone could be
satisfied.
The Bermuda Industrial Union was founded in 1944 as a result of Bermudian workers
receiving a lower pay than their American counterparts on the bases, this gave a boost to the
petition that their Leader Dr. Gordon took to London. This petition was one of their first major
acts of solidarity, it asked The British Government to introduce a Royal Commission to
investigate conditions within Bermuda. It highlighted the pay discrimination at bases, absence of
social security, workmens compensation, housing shortages, the restricted franchise that only
allowed property owners to vote and segregated and overpopulated schools. In response Britain
asked the Bermudian parliament to conduct an investigation but the only result was free primary
schooling for children. The Trade Union & Disputes act was introduced that same year and it
banned unions from being involved in political affairs. Later on in 1959 a bitter strike occurred
between the BIU and The Bermuda Electric Light Company but in 1965 the next altercation
happened. The BIUs argument was unsuccessful but later on in 1973 shop provisions became
respected in law. This allowed BIUs fees to be deducted from the pay of an employee where a

Bathsheba Jones
Mr. N. Dill
Preserving Our Heritage
20 October 2015
union-negotiated agreement was present. Lastly in 1981 the BIUs power and solidarity was
portrayed during the sympathy strikes when thousands of people participated. All of these
examples dictate to you the triumphs and tribulations, resilience and solidarity, and the act of
preserving Bermudas heritage through the advocacy for workers rights.
In conclusion, trade unions in Bermuda by promoting solidarity help to preserve a significant
part of Bermuda's heritage which is the acquisition of workers rights and through this method it
helps maintain a social awareness of your heritage involving resilience. The organizations
responsible for this are the BIU, BUT, & BPSU.
(BUT individuals at world teachers day. - http://www.but.bm/ )

Bibliog
raphy:

Bathsheba Jones
Mr. N. Dill
Preserving Our Heritage
20 October 2015

Williams, A, & Bailey, L. Labour on the March The Story of Labour Day
The Bermuda Public Service Union : http://www.bpsu.bm/our-history
The Bermuda Union of Teachers : http://www.but.bm/