February 1919: The Bermuda Union of Teachers became the Island's first unofficial union. It worked to improve the conditions for teachers and for better schools; 1939: The Labour Board was set up during the depression to institute measures for the alleviation of the distressed conditions among the working class; January 1941: the Bermuda Workers Association was formed with the objective of protecting the economic interest of its members and to prevent exploitation of their labour. It also attempted to provide relief for members when sick, assist in defraying the expense of burial, to provide up to ten weeks sick aid to members and to provide weekly sums consistent with its finances to unemployed members during lean times or during a strike; 1944: Dr. E.F. Gordon becomes leader of the Bermuda Workers Association; June 1946: The Trade Union and Trade Disputes Bill presented in the House of Assembly, it later passed to into law; December 1947: The Bermuda Industrial Union is founded and takes the role of the Bermuda Workers' Association. Dr. E.F. Gordon was the first president; 1950s: Teachers Association of Bermuda was formed, but was eventually amalgamated with the Bermuda Union of Teachers; 1952: The Civil Service Association formed to represent directors and permanent secretaries. The Association later became the Bermuda Public Service Association; 1959: A deadlock was reached in a dock strike and strikers armed themselves with sticks and demonstrated outside the then-Police Headquarters in Hamilton.

The strikers then marches to Number One Shed where they encountered the Riot Squad -- the first time the squad has been called out -- but the confrontation ended peacefully; January 1965: BIU called on BELCO workers to strike. On February 2 the tensions erupted into riots. Five men, known as the five martyrs by the labour movement, were arrested for causing the riots; September 1968: A strike by 400 teachers; April 1981: A strike by non-medical workers at the hospital. The strike receives support from Government and hotel workers. Large crowds block the causeway and the airport. The Island closes down and the Bermuda Regiment is embodied; May 7 1981: The massive strike ends and the BIU claims victory; and September 7 1982: The first Labour Day holiday held in Bermuda.

Labour icon: Dr. E.F. Gordon Ottiwell Simmons