Premier Ewart Brown today encouraged the Island’s unions to continue to push one another towards a better Bermuda.

Today marked the 29th Labour Day march and hundreds of people gathered at Union Square, Hamilton, to participate in the annual parade.

Short political speeches were the order of the day with Bermuda’s three political leaders keeping their addresses under five minutes.

Dr. Brown reminded the crowd it was his last Labour Day address before stepping down in October and said that while his Government and Bermuda’s unions may not have always agreed on everything he believed that the unions had done better under a Progressive Labour Party government.

“I believe they have gone from strength to strength,” he said. “And I would like to challenge the leadership to challenge the fellowship and the fellowship to challenge the leadership to move forward.”

Opposition UBP Leader Kim Swan said he was impressed that the hotel division of the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) and Hotel Employers of Bermuda had agreed to a wage freeze in return for waiving payroll tax in order to keep costs down and people employed.

“Earlier this year BIU President Chris Furbert announced that hotel employers and hotel workers agreed to accept a wage freeze — a major announcement that demonstrated good faith. Clearly it was an act of hotel employers, employees and the union working together and acting responsibly during tough times.

“An act that builds a trust bond between the employer, employee and their union; and more importantly preserved jobs during uncertain times. In my estimation this announcement by BIU President Chris Furbert and the Hotel Employers was huge! A major announcement that demonstrated Leadership and good faith.”

* Full story and pictures in tomorrow's Royal Gazette.