Welcome
To the Barbados Workers' Union
Who We are
The Barbados Workers' Union is the leading trade union in Barbados with over 20,000 members that aims to protect and promote the interests of its members through collective bargaining, education, and advocacy.
We have a rich history that dates back to 1941, making us one of the oldest trade unions in the Caribbean region. Over the years, the BWU has played a pivotal role in safeguarding workers' rights, securing fair wages, and creating a conducive work environment. By joining the BWU, you become part of this legacy and contribute to the ongoing struggle for workers' rights in Barbados.
Our Mission
To be an excellent trade union provider of labour market services in Barbados and the wider Caribbean and to improve the quality of life of all Barbadians through participatory representation.
Vision Statement
Through team work to enhance the organisation’s performance and improve the quality of life for workers and other vulnerable groups through organising, education, collective bargaining, tripartite social dialogue, lobbying for policies which defend their rights and interests and promoting diversity.
Empowering Workers
Discover how we empower Barbadian workers and vulnerable groups through collective bargaining, education, and advocacy. Join us in our mission to protect your rights.
Our Services
When you join solidarity, you can benefit from:
Discover how we empower Barbadian workers and vulnerable groups through
Health and Safety Advocacy: Ensuring workers' rights to a safe environment are protected.
Free Education Courses, Training, and Workshops: Offering Spanish, Financial Management, Conflict Resolution, Labour Education, and much more.
Legal Representation: Members have access to one free legal consultation per year.
Guidance on Lay-Offs and Pension Rights.
Job Promotion and Enhancement Assistance.
Grievance Handling
Facilitating Access to Counseling Services.
Meet the Team
Our team is made up of 40 dedicated professionals who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those we serve. From our Industrial Relations Officers, Membership support, Legal team, Communications team and our education arm at the Frank Walcott Labour College; we work together to provide comprehensive representation to our members.
Ms Toni Moore has been the General Secretary of the BWU since 2014. She succeeded the long-serving Sir Roy Trotman and has been a dedicated advocate for workers’ rights, making significant contributions to the labour movement in Barbados.
Previous General Secretaries includes: Sir Roy Trotman (1992), Sir Hugh Worrell Springer (1941), and Sir Frank Leslie Walcott (1948).
Ms Toni Moore - General Secretary of the BWU since 2014
Our Achievements
Over the years, the BWU has played a pivotal role in safeguarding workers' rights, securing fair wages, and creating a conducive work environment. By joining the BWU, you become part of this legacy and contribute to the ongoing struggle for workers' rights in Barbados. Some of the achievements of the Union are:
Labour Clauses Concessions Act
Holidays with pay
Maternity leave
Severance pay
National Insurance and Social Security
Protection of wages
Unemployment Insurance
Safety and Health at Work
Housing Development at Mangrove, St Philip
Minimum Wage
Employment Rights Our Achievements
Tears of joy. Hugs that say “we did it.” Smiles that carry the weight of battles fought and won.
To the brave workers of KFC, who stood firm, who refused to settle, who believed in their worth, this victory is yours. You showed what happens when workers stand together.
To the public, our supporters, every person who shared our videos, spread awareness, and stood with us, we felt your love. We could not have done this without you. Your voices became our strength. This is your victory too.
Our Affiliates
The Barbados Workers’ Union also has close fraternal links with the following National and International Organisations:
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
Inter-American Regional Organisation of Workers American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations
Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
British Trades Union Congress (BTUC)
Commonwealth Trade Union Council. (CTUC)
The Barbados Workers’ Union has strong international links and is affiliated to the following International Trade Secretariats:
