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 teamwork, we aim to enhance the organisation’s performance and improve the quality of life for workers and other vulnerable groups by promoting organising, education, collective bargaining, tripartite social dialogue, and lobbying for policies that defend their rights and interests while embracing 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 us in solidarity, you can benefit from:
Negotiating and Lobbying for Workers' Rights
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.
Ms. Toni Moore - General Secretary of the BWU since 2014
Ms Toni Moore has served as General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union since 2014, becoming the first woman to hold the position since its founding in 1941.
Since joining the Union in 2004, she has worked extensively in research, negotiation, advocacy, and worker education, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the lives of Barbadian workers.
Her areas of expertise include compensation and benefits, productivity, employee development, and dispute resolution, supported by specialist training in mediation and conciliation. Moore also serves on several national boards, including the National Insurance Social Security Service and the Campus Council of the University of the West Indies.
Internationally, she represents workers at the highest levels, serving as a Council Member of the International Trade Union Confederation, Deputy President of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas, a Member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Worker Vice-Chairperson on the Board of the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin, Italy.
Mr. Shawn Knight - President General of the
BWU since 2021
Shawn A. Knight has served as President General of the Barbados Workers’ Union since 2021, bringing nearly two decades of leadership within the organisation.
His tenure is defined by a commitment to collective bargaining, labour education, and social dialogue, ensuring workers’ voices remain central to national development.
A strategic yet grassroots leader, Knight has helped shape labour policy, promote safe workplaces, and expand the Union’s outreach through training, legal support, and health and safety initiatives.
He previously served as Vice President of the BWU (2013–2021) and President of the Cable & Wireless Local Union Committee (2010–2014). Employed at Liberty Caribbean as a Product Manager, he holds a BSc in Computer Science and Management from the University of the West Indies and has completed graduate studies in Business Analytics and extensive labour training locally and internationally.
Meet the Team
The Executive Council and Staff of the Barbados Workers' Union
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.
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:
Union Network International (UNI)
International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
BWU WINS
Barbados Port Inc
Bipartite progress toward 24‑hour operations to remove bottlenecks; BWU position lodged with BPI Board and the Prime Minister; push to align job evaluation with changes and avoid mass rationalisation.
Barbados Water Authority (BWA)
Staffing, training, hours of work, and reward incentives improved following BWU advocacy to boost service outcomes.
BWU Secures Swift Victory for UWI Workers
The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) successfully resolved a major wage dispute at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus) after months of unanswered correspondence and non-payment of salary increases due from August 1, 2023.
Frustration among staff reached a breaking point when over one hundred (100) workers marched from the Henry MacDonald Redices Administrative Building on January 30th, 2024, demanding that workers’ rights be respected and all entitlements due be honoured.
The BWU had previously advised, since January 10, 2024, that corrective measures would be taken if the anomaly of the University being the only institution that had not regularised the payment was not rectified. Following the demonstration, normalcy was restored once the University made the payment of the disputed increase, bringing a peaceful end to the standoff.
This resolution reaffirmed the BWU’s role in defending fairness, protecting entitlements, and ensuring that no worker is left behind.
KFC Win 2025
Workers received: 40‑hour work week; training reduced to 30 days (paid at general worker rate) and counts toward probation; automatic permanence post‑probation; equal pay for cashiers and cooks; wage increases of 9% (line staff) and 14.5% (managers); new $25 travel allowance (after‑shift reassignment) and meal allowance increased to $400.