Bermuda Industrial Union President Chris Furbert used his Labour Day address today to deliver a pointed message to government, saying more must be done to provide meaningful assistance to working people and the wider community.
Speaking following the annual Labour Day march, Furbert acknowledged the measures announced and implemented by the Progressive Labour Party government, but made it clear that, in his view, they do not go far enough.
The BIU president also marked a significant milestone for the union, noting that the Bermuda Industrial Union is celebrating 80 years of representing organized labour.
Furbert said the union’s achievements were built on the shoulders of previous generations of leaders and workers, and he reflected on the historic 1981 general strike, which involved government and healthcare employees fighting for workers’ rights and what was described at the time as a living wage.
He said that history remains relevant today.
Furbert reminded the crowd that at last year’s Labour Day event, discussions were held about commitments and what would be delivered to working people.
While he expressed appreciation for measures taken by government to assist the community, he stressed that “it’s not enough.”
The BIU president said the focus now must be on what actually needs to be done to provide people with real assistance.
Furbert also raised questions surrounding government revenue from corporate taxes.
He revealed that the Bermuda Government received approximately $1.06 billion in corporate tax-related funds last year, but said the union did not receive the same level of funding this year.
He questioned how the revenue generated through corporate taxation can better benefit the people of Bermuda.
Furbert emphasized that he was not advocating for government to take all corporate tax revenue, but argued that the Government of Bermuda should be receiving significantly more than it currently does and that those resources should ultimately benefit the wider community.
The BIU president said his union is now preparing a comprehensive document that will be presented to government.
He described it as a proposal focused not only on the needs of BIU members, but on the needs of Bermuda as a whole.
Furbert said the union does not want to approach the issue simply from the perspective of protecting its own membership, pointing out that other unions, including the Bermuda Public Services Union, the teachers’ union and nurses’ union, have similar concerns.
He warned that working people will not wait indefinitely for change.
Furbert said if government develops a three-year plan, for example, workers can understand that certain initiatives may take time—as long as progress is actually made in each successive year.
But he warned that if the current situation continues without meaningful action, workers may not be willing to wait another five years.
He urged union members and members of the wider public to remain engaged, saying their support will become critical once the BIU presents its proposal to government.
Furbert stressed that the initiative is not simply about union benefits.
“This is going to benefit the entire country,” he told the Labour Day gathering.
The BIU president closed his remarks by encouraging workers and the public to enjoy Labour Day, while making it clear that the celebration also represents a call to action.
After 80 years of organized labour, Furbert’s message was unmistakable: appreciation for what has been accomplished, but a demand for more concrete action to address the economic pressures facing Bermuda’s workers and families.
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