A union head challenged the island’s political figures yesterday to display leadership at all times, a feat which he said would benefit the island in the future.

Kevin Pilgrim, vice-president of the Electrical Supply Trade Union, said political party heads should selflessly display their leadership qualities daily.

“I challenge all politicians — Progressive Labour Party, One Bermuda Alliance, Free Democratic Movement, and even independents — to show leadership qualities not only when it benefits you and your party’s agenda, but during your everyday life,” he said.

His remarks were met with rousing applause from hundreds who lined Union Square at the culmination of this year’s Labour Day march around Hamilton.

Political leaders, members and officials of several labour organisations including the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Bermuda Public Services Union and the ESTU, gathered at Union Square following the march.

Mr Pilgrim told the audience that residents looked up to politicians for adequate representation.

He explained: “You are the ones that chose to represent your communities, so each and every community within Bermuda are looking up to you on a daily basis.”

He added: “By being true leaders, this is the way forward for our community and country of Bermuda as a whole.”

He called on the leaders to show the way by example. “Remember attitude reflects leadership,” he said to cheers.

This year’s celebrations were held under the theme “Community is Power” and Mr Pilgrim said the island’s workers collectively faced new challenges.

These include automation, precarious working conditions, stagnating wages and “daily threats” to their rights.

“These challenges may seem daunting, but let us not forget that we have faced adversity before,” he said. “Every time we have risen to the occasion.”

Mr Pilgrim said: “We do not stand alone. We stand with the strength of our fellow unions and a community behind us.”

Jonathan Tankard, president of the BUT, said more could be done to strengthen unity within the community.

He said: “In 2024, some divisions remain, and this can, and at times cause setbacks in our collective progress, particularly within our school system.”

He said the challenges were not “insurmountable”.

He added: “They represent opportunities for us to come together to heal and to build stronger foundations for our future.”

He said the island’s schools were the heart of the community, shaping adults to lead Bermuda in the future.

“It is crucial that they have the resources they need to nurture healthy, capable and engaged citizens,” he said.

Mr Tankard said when the BUT advocated for more support, respect and resources, it was doing so for the benefit, not only of its member but the community.

“Never, ever forget, the working conditions of our teachers or the learning conditions of our students,” he said.

“Strong schools lead to a strong Bermuda,” he added.

As leaders within the school system, Mr Tankard said the BUT had a responsibility to speak up and to ensure the community’s needs were met.

“We must be ever-persistent in advocating for the care and attention our schools and community deserves," he said, adding that the BUT was committed to strong leadership.

David Burt, the Premier, said Labour Day was more than a holiday.

He said: “It is our national recognition of the sacrifices made by those who fought tirelessly for the rights we enjoy today.”

Mr Burt said the history of the island’s labour movement “is a testament to the power” of community.

He added: “It is through solidarity, sacrifice and a joint commitment to equality that we have achieved significant victories for better working conditions, fairer wages, and the recognition of workers’ rights.”

He said those accomplishments were not won by individuals acting alone but by the community standing together to demand change and fight for the rights that every Bermudian deserved.

Mr Burt added that work remained to be done.

“We know the cost of living is still too high for too many, and the cost of healthcare is a concern for many Bermudians,” he noted.

He said the PLP government would invest in those who deliver public services to ensure wage increases catches up to inflation.

He said the Government would also invest in the work force, and was committed to improving employee health insurance.

He added: “Do not let those who seek to divide us succeed. They wish for us to focus on personality politics and not policy. However, it is important that we focus on policy changes.”

He said the Government would continue to implement its policies and create legislation to the benefit of residents.

Ben Smith, deputy leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, thanked union representatives for their continued efforts to advocate for the rights of workers.

He also highlighted the efforts of workers, whose rights, he said, must always be respected.

He said: “It is so easy for people to complain when things don’t always go the way they want them to, but it is important that we realise that most of the time our country is working, it is moving forward.”

He added: “For that, we have to thank the labour that allows it to continue to work.”

Mr Smith said the OBA recognised and celebrated the efforts of workers.

He said the OBA planned to create more opportunities so that there would be more jobs available for residents.

“We have to understand that labour leads to finances that allows people to thrive in our country,” he said.

Mr Smith added: “Increasing those opportunities is how we are going to give them that chance to move forward.

“And for our young people to come back from school and have a place in our country for them to thrive.”

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, called on the unions to renew their collective commitments to build a future that was bright and full of promise.

“Let us renew our collective commitment to promoting the welfare of workers,” he said.

He urged for a renewed commitment to social justice as well as building stronger unions.

“Let us remember that our strength lies in our unity,” he added.

Mr Hayward highlighted the efforts of the Government over the years to improve systems within the labour force as well as initiatives to create more job opportunities for Bermudians.

He said the Government remained dedicated to ensuring that every worker had the support they needed to build a better and fairer life.

Mr Hayward said the Government’s record of accomplishments demonstrated its commitment to advancing workers’ rights.

The Government also recognised the “vital role that unions play” in safeguarding the rights of the islands’ workers.

He added: “A strong and thriving labour movement requires strong labour unions working with a strong labour government.

“This government will continue to work closely with our union partners and employer organisations to promote fairness and protect the rights of employees.”

In brief remarks, Chris Furbert, president of the BIU, issued a challenge for the unions to work collectively.

“I am certainly throwing a challenge out there for the unions to come together and work more collectively together,” he said.

“Whilst we do have our challenges with our communities, I think it is time for us all come together and all play our part to make sure we can strengthen our community,” he added.

Photo gallery