By TNN’s Trevor Lindsay
Rain may have fallen heavily over Union Square today, but it did little to dampen the spirit of Labour Day as trade unions and working people gathered following the annual Labour Day march.
Premier, the Honorable David Burt, addressed the little crowd, using the occasion to highlight what he described as nine years of progress under a Progressive Labour Party government and to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to Bermuda’s working people.
Burt thanked workers for their daily contributions to Bermuda and said Labour Day was an opportunity to recognize their service while reaffirming the government’s commitment to stand alongside them.
He pointed to a number of initiatives introduced during the PLP’s nine years in office, including the introduction of Bermuda’s first national minimum wage, increases for public sector workers, a 10 percent increase for public sector retirees, expanded parental leave and stronger protections for workers facing bullying and harassment in the workplace.
The Premier also highlighted increases to seniors’ pensions, saying they have been raised eight times in line with inflation.
Burt told the gathering that when the PLP returned to office nine years ago, its goal was to build what he called “a fairer Bermuda for all.”
He said that goal became particularly important after inheriting an island he described as being worn down by austerity.
According to Burt, Bermuda workers are now paying significantly less in taxes than when his government took office, claiming workers are paying 95 percent less in taxes and that the average Bermudian worker has saved more than $7,000 in payroll taxes.
The Premier also pointed to the 2025 landmark salary agreement for public sector workers, saying it fulfilled a commitment he made at Labour Day 2024 to address years in which public sector salaries had fallen behind inflation.
He also highlighted changes to the Government’s health insurance programme, including expanded coverage for mental health and substance abuse services.
But Burt stressed that the achievements he outlined were not the work of government alone.
He credited the Progressive Labour Party, Bermuda’s trade unions and working people across the island for working together to secure the gains.
The Premier used the occasion to issue a strong warning about division within the labour movement, telling supporters that progress depends on unity between the political and trade-union arms of the movement.
He said when the labour movement is divided, workers ultimately lose, protections can be weakened and policies may fail to adequately reflect the needs of working people.
Burt acknowledged that despite the progress he outlined, too many working families continue to struggle.
He said the responsibility going forward must be to continue working together for better wages, stronger worker protections and a Bermuda where working people can build a secure future.
As the rain continued to fall over Union Square, the Premier closed his address with a message of unity, echoing the Bermuda Industrial Union’s familiar slogan:
“United we stand.”
For Labour Day 2026, the message from the Premier was clear: while his government points to what it says are significant achievements for workers over the past nine years, the fight for economic security and stronger protections for working families continues.
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