With Labour Day approaching, we are reminded of the perennial underlying theme of “Solidarity”, which has been key to maintaining a global movement for well over a century. As the entire human family faces unprecedented, existential challenges, we are called to reflect on the roots of this movement, in consideration of accessing our better selves and in moving forward together.

If not now, when?

In doing so, we are encouraged to “Think Globally and Act Locally” — in the broadest sense of that term.

Labour Day has its roots in May Day, memorialising the campaign for the “40-hour work week” in the late 1800s when some trade union campaigners were killed in Chicago. Ironically, the United States, Canada, Bermuda are among the small minority who do not celebrate “Solidarity” in May.

The Bermuda Trade Union Congress reminds us of this every May 1. In doing so, it points out that movements comprise the actions of some known and unknown individuals.

This year we lost Ottiwell Simmons, an iconic exemplar whose contribution to the movement — particularly his role in the rebirth of the Bermuda Industrial Union — is fairly well documented. Ottie exuded humility, a quality that sparked his passion as a lifelong learner.

The late Maynard Dill, who benefited from Ottie’s example, also had a passion for learning. Dill was a president of the Electricity Supply Trade Union, which successfully championed the formation of the BTUC.

The journey of this movement is rich, right from the first formal union:

• Four dedicated teachers — the Crawford cousins, Adele Tucker and the Reverend Rufus Stovell — founded the Bermuda Union of Teachers in February 1919. Note their reference to “union” rather than “association”, challenging the status quo. The BUT held the space on its own for more than a decade, when the Dockyard Workers’ Association was formed in the late 1930s with guidance from Eustace Cann.

• On June 25, 1944, with key assistance from Dr Cann, a worker protest by local employees at the US Naval Operating Base was leveraged to form the Bermuda Workers Association. E.F. Gordon accepted the presidency of the BWA when Dr Cann shared his unavailability.

• During the mid-1940s, the BWA exercised thinking globally. Dr Gordon led a community petition, addressing the “big picture”, including democratic rights, ending segregation and the need for civilising the island.

• That chapter prepared the groundwork for fundamental transformation. Dr Gordon’s death in 1955 left a vacuum that was filled by the actions of many, notably Leonard Bascome, of St George’s, who took over the reins of the BIU.

• The seeds planted during the 1940s began to germinate subsequently. The cross-generational relay was evident: BUT cofounder the Reverend Rufus Stovell’s son, Wycliff, became Dr Gordon’s right-hand man; Wycliff’s daughter, Marva, became a member of the Progressive Group.

• Other Progressive Group connections: Gerald Harvey was very active with the BWA in his early twenties; Clifford Maxwell recalls his father’s deep involvement; Eugene Woods was mentored by veterans of the BWA, then subsequently served on the BIU executive. They, along with others, took on that baton and initiated the Theatre Boycott.

• Ottie served in the class that was inspired by the success of the boycott. He, along with Barbara Ball, was among those who took on the challenge of Belco, which was ostensibly lost but laid a foundation for the longer-term growth of the BIU. The union grew multifold, from 500 members to a few thousand within 18 months.

• The growth of the BIU had a collateral impact on employment rights across the country.

• The historic 1981 impasse resulted in a breakthrough in the nature of the movement. It saw some transformation of the tendency to remain in silos, promoting true solidarity. The BUT members broke key ground in fostering a breakthrough for solidarity on May 5. The action of the ESTU proved to be an act of communal healing.

Drawing from this shared legacy offers our community a potential that goes beyond only the trade union organisations as evidenced above. The concept of solidarity speaks to all sectors of our society — from our families to our neighbourhoods and beyond.

BIU president Chris Furbert has touched on this over the past year while championing a community-wide reflection on the implications of Bermuda’s extraordinary cost of living.

Let’s work together!

• Glenn Fubler represents Imagine Bermuda