Marching to 85
Strength in Solidarity
Marching to 85 marks the Barbados Workers’ Union’s journey towards its 85th anniversary and reflects a renewed commitment to unity, accountability, and defending workers’ rights in Barbados.
This page showcases union activities aligned with the theme, including messages from the General Secretary, campaigns, advocacy actions, events, and moments of collective engagement as the BWU continues shaping the future of work.
Recent victories exemplify this ethos:
KFC Barbados: Following protracted negotiations, BWU secured a 9% wage increase, formalised job descriptions, six days of paid uncertified leave, and a monthly meal allowance for KFC workers.
MAY DAY
In May, the Barbados Workers’ Union staged its flagship event, May Day 2025, at Pool Woods in St. John, in collaboration with the National We Gatherin' Initiative. This edition was nothing short of historic.
The shift in venue allowed us to connect with a new demographic, while our partnership with the National Cultural Foundation ensured widespread community participation. From the KidZone and Reading Corner to the fiercely contested Domino Competition, the day was a true celebration of culture, unity, and the worker’s spirit.
In our Workers’ Village, 18 vendors, ranging from BWU members to youth entrepreneurs, sold their goods, gained new clients, and accessed support through credit union advisors who shared resources on small business development.
One of the day’s standout moments was the Mixology Competition, which drew a vibrant crowd and ended with a surprise win by the Union’s own General Secretary. Equally impactful was the Man Aware Tent hosted by the HIV/AIDS Commission, which became one of the most visited spaces of the day.
The entire event was promoted and livestreamed by our Communications Department, extending the reach of our message and the energy of the day far beyond the venue.
We began the week with a Labour Thanksgiving Service at Christ Church Parish Church, grounding our work in spiritual solidarity and gratitude for the contributions of workers across the nation.
May Day 2025 wasn’t just a celebration, it was a bold statement of who we are, where we’re going, and what “Bet Who Bet You” truly means: choosing to stand with those who stand for you.
Church service
The Barbados Workers’ Union team gathered in worship at Hope Church in a moment of reflection, renewal and unity. We extend sincere thanks to Pastor John Yard and the Hope Church family for their warm welcome and hospitality.
The church’s 2026 theme, “Be Audacious,” resonated deeply with us. It speaks to courage, conviction and standing firm in purpose. These values align closely with the Barbados Workers’ Union’s 2026 theme, Marching to 85, as we move towards this milestone with bold advocacy, principled leadership and unwavering action in defence of workers’ rights across Barbados.
A New Digital Home for the Barbados Workers’ Union
The launch of the new Barbados Workers’ Union website on January 16th, 2026, marked an important step in the modernisation of the organisation. The website was designed to become a central digital home for information, member engagement, education and access to services.
Members and prospective members can find information about the Union, follow current developments, explore educational opportunities and learn how to access support. Online applications and payment information also make it easier for workers to connect with the BWU from their homes, workplaces or mobile devices.
The Union strengthened its official presence through its Google listing, helping workers, employers, students, partners and members of the public find accurate contact information more easily. This work reduces confusion and places reliable information within reach at the moment it is needed.
An organisation approaching 85 years must remain accessible to the workers of today. The new website brings the BWU’s history, services and public voice together in a space built for the way people now seek information.
Portable Benefits: Social Protection That Follows the Worker
The nature of work is changing. More people now move between contracts, employers, freelance assignments and digital platforms, while many social protection systems still assume one worker will remain attached to one employer for long periods.
General Secretary Toni Moore brought this issue before Parliament through a resolution on portable social security benefits. The principle was straightforward. Protection should follow the worker, even when the worker’s employment arrangement changes.
The resolution was formally passed by the House of Assembly on 19 May 2026. Its passage placed Barbados in an important conversation about fairness in the modern economy and the need to ensure that flexibility does not become another name for insecurity.
The BWU’s march towards 85 has included a firm focus on the future of work. Portable benefits represent the kind of policy thinking required to ensure that no worker is left exposed simply because the world of employment has changed.
Meeting the Next Generation at UWI Cave Hill
The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus provided an important opportunity for the Barbados Workers’ Union to meet young people preparing to enter a changing world of work.
The BWU showcased its history, services and continuing relevance while partnering in the panel discussion Borders Cannot Block Your Path. The conversation explored career development, professional mobility and the opportunities available to young people navigating an increasingly connected labour market.
Students were also invited to express interest in the BWU Youth Arm through an online survey. More than 200 responses were received, with approximately 130 students indicating that they were willing to become actively involved. Youth advocacy emerged as the strongest area of interest.
The response challenged the idea that young people are disconnected from collective action. Many are ready to participate when they are invited into spaces that respect their concerns, ideas and desire to shape the future.
The fourth of the month: giving the anniversary year a pulse
The fourth day of each month became a recognisable point in the Barbados Workers’ Union’s march towards 85. Each activation created a fresh opportunity to connect the anniversary with reflection, education, advocacy, history or community engagement.
The programme opened with worship in January, moved into construction sector awareness in February and highlighted digital education in March. April used animation to tell the story of the Union’s beginnings, while May preserved the voices of this generation through the Time Capsule. June took the BWU into Q in the Community, and July created space for workers to raise concerns directly with the Union.
The monthly rhythm kept the anniversary visible without reducing it to a single celebration. It showed that 85 years of service could be recognised through practical work that met people in different spaces and responded to different needs.
Each fourth of the month carried the same underlying promise. The Union would remember where it came from while continuing to show up for the workers of today.
Relive our 83rd ADC 2025
Preparing to Honour 85
The final approach to the Barbados Workers’ Union’s 85th anniversary is being guided by the message Strength in Solidarity. The phrase captures the principle that has carried the organisation through struggle, negotiation, national change and institutional renewal.
Plans include the recognition of 85 people whose service, courage and contribution reflect the values of the movement. Member nominations will help ensure that the anniversary honours people whose work may not always have received public attention.
Eighty five years is a significant milestone, yet the real strength of the BWU has never rested in a number. It rests in people choosing to stand together and use their collective voice to create something better.
FOUNDERS' DAY- CELEBRATING 84 YEARS OF SERVICE
The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) proudly celebrated 84 years of service, advocacy, and solidarity with a two-day Founders’ Day observance held from Friday, October 3 to Saturday, October 4, 2025.
On Friday, the Union hit the road for its annual BWU Highway, this year making stops at several divisions within the retail sector. Under the theme “Bet Who Bet You?”, the activity served as an opportunity to engage directly with members, see first-hand the working conditions, and listen to any grievances or challenges being faced on the ground. It also allowed the Union’s leadership and representatives to reaffirm their commitment to protecting workers’ rights and promoting decent work across all sectors.
The celebrations continued on Saturday with a thanksgiving service at the Mile and A Quarter Seventh-day Adventist Church, where members, staff, and supporters gathered in worship. The message for the morning centerd on the vineyard and the labourers, reminding all that while many are called to serve, only those who remain faithful to the work are truly chosen. This reflection beautifully echoed the Union’s enduring mission, to labour with purpose, dignity, and compassion for all workers.
