Labourites of all persuasions turned out at Bernard Park yesterday for the 19th annual Labour Day festivities.

Honouring the contributions of labour campaigners of the past were Acting Premier Eugene Cox, Labour Minister Paula Cox, Shadow Labour Minister Michael Dunkley, Bermuda Industrial Union President Derrick Burgess and others highlighting the theme of "The Spirit of Labour''.

Mr. Cox spoke on behalf of Premier Jennifer Smith who was attending the funeral of Sir Lynden Pindling former Premier and Prime Minister of Bahamas and a friend of the Progressive Labour Party.

But the festivities began on Saturday with the BIU's annual banquet, at which Washington DC mayor Anthony Williams encouraged union membership.

Mayor Williams also drew parallels between his city and Bermuda -- both of which he said do not have full self governance and "independence''.

He told BIU members at the Southampton Princess: "We are both not truly independent. My city is like your country because it is ultimately governed by a supreme legislature somewhere else.'' Mayor Williams said the District of Columbia does not have a vote in Congress.

Continues on Page 4 See Page 4 for more pictures Labour's spirit marches on The very reason the city was founded -- to escape parochialism -- he said has been violated time and again by congresspeople who "wouldn't want such things in their own districts''.

Washington DCs' non-voting representative in Congress, Eleanor Holmes Norton has been described by the media as "angry'', Mayor Williams said. This was for good reason.

He explained: "If you had to represent a community of 550,000 people that doesn't have a say, you would be angry too! "So when I come to your country and talked to all of your leaders about Bermuda's situation, believe me -- I understand,'' the first term mayor said.

"We're in alliance with you.'' Workers he said must prepare for the new global economy with its technology and information based structure.

And he suggested that all must pull their weight to make businesses and government work more efficiently, citing the example of DC laying off 20,000 of 55,000 workers.

"Because we didn't prepare, when winter came we were out in a lurch,'' he explained. "We had to make drastic cuts.'' A union activist while working as a hotel worker while studying politics at Yale University, Mayor Williams holds a law degree from Harvard University.

"I've always been a strong supporter for unions,'' he said. "But it is also about performance and productivity. And partnership (with employers) is essential.

"Employers must invest in workers,'' he added. "One of the things we're doing is moving all of our downtown offices into the neighbourhoods.

"It will be a major instrument of growth,'' Mayor Williams continued, adding: "Revenue from the office space downtown will lead to a revival in the city.

"You can't have your workers using rotary phones and sitting in creaky chairs,'' Mayor Williams concluded. "Most of the time you can't expect your workers to perform at their best if you're not giving them the best.'' Labour Minister Paula Cox said yesterday: "Have you heard? There is a new deal. A new day. A new Bermuda.'' The draft bill for the Employment Act promises much will change for workers but "with rights come responsibility. With gains come accountability, with sanctions come remedies. With penalties must come performance''.

Later she said: "Today is a day when we salute Labour, labour leaders and your contribution to the labour legacy in Bermuda.'' Ms Cox listed the deaths this year of Rev. Samuel Hayward, Vivian Simmons, Eric Riley, Keith Tucker, Ewart Brown Sr. and Sir Lynden as part of the importance of maintaining that legacy.

Labour Day, Ms Cox explained, was for all people who work, whether those people work in "the boardroom or the hotelrooms''.

Mr. Burgess remembered the activities of union founder E.F. Gordon, who had to complete a rigourous examination to practice medicine in Bermuda in the 1920s.

Now he said the same hospital, King Edward VII Memorial, which once denied him residency, will this week rename a ward after him.

But Mr. Burgess sounded a warning for Bermuda's future, warning parents to get young people to "boycott'' Westgate prison.

"We've got to stop this violence that is in our community today,'' he added.

Still using the now closed building that was a prison in Bermuda for about forty years, Mr. Burgess said: "I'm appealing on behalf of the BIU to you to tell your children to boycott Casemates.'' Mr. Dunkley spoke on the same terms as Ms Cox, pointing to the future and individual responsibility as important for labour relations.

"`We have our disagreements and our differences,'' he said. "But we must realise that we have the option to sink or swim. I'm willing to swim with all of you my brothers and sisters.'' Mr. Cox encouraged people who took part in the parade and the afternoon's festivities to bring more people next year.

A PLP Government he said, was "encouraged and undaunted'' by the challenges governing Bermuda, including labour relations.

"We appreciate the efforts of those pioneers who have brought us this far,'' Mr. Cox explained. "The friendly societies, Gladys Morrell and the women's suffrage movement and the Dr. (E.F.) Gordon's. They have transformed Bermuda.

"The youth must be made aware of all the events leading up to the theatre boycott and the struggle to gain the right to vote.''