We confess having to go to our own archives for background to an event over the weekend at the Bermuda Industrial Union's Dr. E.F. Gordon Memorial Hall. It was a big reunion for some of the workers I referred to as the 'street fighters' who have helped to bring the BIU to the present dominant position of power and influence it has reached since the Union's registration 61 years ago, to be exact on April 24, 1947.

In the book, The History of the Bermuda Industrial Union, that the BIU commissioned me to write, we mentioned how many tend to forget, and even a whole generation or two have actually grown up not knowing about the stresses and strains of the earlier 'foot soldiers' in laying the solid foundation for the Union.

Among those inspired by the dynamics of Dr. E.F. Gordon, aka Mazumbo, there were Joe Mills, Kingsley Tweed, Robert Johnson, Ottiwell Simmons, Dr. Barbara Ball, Helena (Molly) Burgess and countless shop stewards, unsung heroes, men and women alike.

There came a time when the foot soldiers had to come out of the trenches in large numbers. That was in 1971 when the Union began capitalising heavily on its having been affiliated earlier by Mazumbo with the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL).

Through its good offices and contacts with the Front Royal Institute (FRI), a labour college in Virginia, an invitation was extended to Bermuda to send large groups for leadership training on an annual basis. FRI was later replaced by the George Meany Centre (GMC).

The BIU's current education officer Collin Simmons said the Union has had a broad and fruitful relationship with the GMC and FRI. Not only the Union, but Bermuda generally has benefited greatly from the training given to the hundreds who have gone to those institutes.

They have done extremely challenging courses in management of the national economy from a trade union standpoint. Mr. Simmons cited the example of the current president, Chris Furbert, and others who underwent intensive six-week courses covering economics, industrial relations, safety and health; also leadership training at all levels, trade unionism and politics. Others have specialised in the management of construction projects, how to organise workers inside the Union and also being 'trained to train trainers'.

Before FRI and GMC, individual leaders like Mr. Tweed had been sent through the Trade Union Congress for extensive leadership training in England. He was followed by Robert Johnston and Reid Simmons. The emphasis was on leadership training in order to consolidate the rapid gains the BIU was making on the turbulent local industrial front. In 1962 the CCL sent to Bermuda its top training officer, vice-president Basil Bretnol Blackman. He spent three months conducting various seminars that were fully subscribed by young men and women aspiring to leadership roles.

Among them were Ottie Simmons, Dr. Ball, Eugene Blakeney, Harry Hendrickson, Molly Burgess, Erskine Dyer, Earl T. Wilson, Norma Russell-Smith and Charles Bean (later Senator Bean).

Some of those early birds and latter ones graduated to other training institutes, as far away as Israel, Europe, the US and Caribbean, particularly the University of the West Indies. Dr. Ball did most serious courses in economics and labour relations. In 1968 she attended Georgetown University in Washington, DC for an intensive course in mathematics and labour relations. Ottie Simmons underwent a two-year study of economics and sociology at Oxford University's Ruskin College.

The reunion on Saturday was organised by the BIU's Ways and Means Committee chaired by Sis. Ronnie Burgess, who is a GM graduate as well as the recently appointed BIU Organiser. She said the event was planned to be as an opportunity to fellowship and reminisce in the hope of motivating participants for continued involvement in trade unionism.

Bro. Collin credited employers with playing a major role in part in partnering with unions with respect to local and overseas training programmes. Employers have played a key role giving workers time off with pay, he said. He added that Bermuda has greatly benefited from these training efforts. Generally, people don't have a full appreciation of the time and effort trade union leaders engage, not only representing the voice of labour as they bargain daily on behalf of the workers and the economy.

Our pictures show some of the highlights of the reunion for some of the 500 or more union 'street fighters' who since 1971 have attended leadership training courses at the Front Royal Institute in Virginia and later the George Meany Labour Training Centre at Silver Springs, Maryland. Each attendee received a memento from union president Chris Furbert and education officer Collin Simmons. One of the earlier graduates was Bro. Kenyetta Young (top left) , who recently retired after nearly 30 years as a union organiser. Right above veteran leader in the hotel division Sis. Ruby Woolridge. And, right, the Rev. Rodney Grimes, former leader in the Bus and Allied Workers' Division and fellow graduate Bro. Irvin Whitter.

q I apologise to my readers for a shortened Notebook this week but I lost photos and other material when my computer crashed during Monday's storm.