THE WORKERS V ICE Volume 46. No. 13 Monday, MARCH 8, 2021 Price 50 cents Industrial Union Tribute to Sis. LaVerne Furbert SEPTEMBER 1, 1946 - JANUARY 31, 2021

Lionel Pearman and when he passed she took over preparing the paper IN OUR OPINION along with the then Editor, the late Bro. Calvin Smith. Brothers & Sisters Trade Unionism opened the door Life is a satisfying experience and for her to encourage persons to a very challenging journey. In display their talents and abilities to the midst of this journey we are express themselves. She was fearless fortunate to meet people like Sis. in her opinions and demonstrated LaVerne Furbert. her ability to take our issues with a determination to make her point. Sis. LaVerne was different than most people, she was open-minded and Working at the BIU truly was the unafraid to speak with conviction perfect job for Sis. LaVerne. Her on issues and topics you and I would office sits right in the middle of not touch. In the last few weeks since the two titular officers, the General her passing many have paid tribute President and the General Secretary. to Sis. LaVerne and have called her Her role was to manage their sched- a warrior, fearless, a drum major and ules, organize press conferences, do many other heroic names. their personal typing but no job was too small, she would drop them off We the staff of the Bermuda to meetings and pick them back up Industrial Union (BIU), Sis. as well. Having a secretary who was LaVerne’s second family would “in the know” and well-connected like to talk about the well-dressed by the union as the Secretary to was a true benefit. Bro. Chris could sister that pulled up to Union Square the Executives on April 12th 2004 call out to Sis. LaVerne at any time in that little blue car on a daily under then President, the Hon. and say “get the Premier on the phone” basis. Sis. LaVerne was not only the Derrick Burgess. Her special mix of or “call Minister so-and-so”, this was Executive Secretary, she was a friend, secretarial, journalist, political and right up her alley. She knew them she was a cook for some, she was an passion for human rights and justice well and on a personal level and advisor, she was a good listener and made her the perfect fit at BIU. She the importance of that cannot be a confidant. also assisted in the preparation of discounted. When members showed the Workers Voice along with Bro. up unannounced to see Bro. Chris, Sis. LaVerne was a union member Sis. LaVerne would come out and from 2002 to 2021; she was hired (continue on page 2) Special Edition THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 1 She even wrote a full page tribute to Two-J in the Workers Voice. THE WORKERS VOICE

Everyone knows that the second PUBLISHED BY THE House of Assembly is directly across Bermuda Industrial Union 49 Union Square the street from the BIU where the Hamilton HM12 Bermuda public bathrooms are located. Well, Sis. LaVerne felt the members T (441) 292-0044 needed to have something to sit on F (441) 295-7992 so she called up the Corporation of E [email protected] Hamilton and within two days two EDITOR benches were put in place. Arnold Smith [email protected] Sis. LaVerne was an immaculate talk to them and by the time she dresser and everything had to be ASSISTANT EDITOR was finished, they did not need to matching from her eye shadow “The Late” LaVerne Furbert see Bro. Chris anymore. Her value to her earrings and she loved [email protected] to this organization was felt imme- bright prints, especially pink and LAYOUT AND DESIGN diately when she passed. African prints. She would always Phaedra Smith compliment someone when they Sis. LaVerne was at the forefront of were dressed well and she really GENERAL COUNCIL assisting people experiencing per- admired Bro. Chris for being a REPRESENTATIVES sonal challenges by using her many well-dressed man and he always Shirlene Simons David Bean social and political contacts to cor- smells nice she would say. rect all injustice. One could not tell PRINTED BY THE the many times she helped her fel- Printed by The Bermuda Press Ltd. low Bermudians and others out of a firestorm of personal challenges. She did not have a problem calling any- body to tell them she had someone in need and if they did not offer some form of support the whole office knew. We would hear her shouting ‘getting on my ‘fackin nerves’ and out the building she went to sit in her car and then she would come back and call whomever again until she got the right answer, she was persistent.

Sis. LaVerne was bold, she had a dog named Two-J whom she loved In one of her ‘In My Opinion’ col- dearly, even to the point Two-J at umns Sis. LaVerne stated that one one time slept in the bed with her. of her favorite text in the Bible came In 2007 Two-J died and to the as- from the book of Ruth as follows: tonishment of the Executive Board, ‘Where you go I will go, and where Sis. LaVerne asked for compassion- you stay I will stay. Your people will ate leave to grieve his passing, and be my people and your God my she was absolutely serious, she was God’. All can attest that she lived by told she could take a vacation day. this text to the very end.

(continue on page 3) 2 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 Staff members spoke of what Sis. passion and presence is a big miss causes she championed. A mother, LaVerne meant to them as follows: in the office, she truly was commit- a grandmother, a sister and a friend. ted to what she was about. May her Rest In Peace, my friend. Sis. Yvette – Sis. LaVerne always memory be a blessing. showed up Monday morning with a Bro. Ronnie Smith – it’s really hard meal for me but I will definitely miss Bro. Scottie – she was a trooper. to believe she is gone, just like that her fishcakes this year, they were we are left with just the memories. I absolutely delicious. Sis. Ronnie Burgess – will miss your am going to be thinking about all the listening hear, popping into my office times I worked with her, I would hear Sis. Melaine – love you dearly, will and asking ‘what’s happening’ and my phone ringing and she would say miss you so much. our talks about the current events no ‘Ronnie can you come here a min- matter the subject and working on ute please’. Guess you cannot take Sis. Shawnee – I love you and miss the Women’s Tea and other events. I friendships for granted, life is but a you. miss you my ‘Senior Friend’. vapor and then you are gone. I am going to miss her. Sis. Pat - a friend is never truly gone. Bro. Arnold – Laverne with an “E “I Their spirit lives on in memories of guess for “Extraordinary” Her spirit Bro. Graham – Sis. LaVerne has those who loved them. The best of was kind and giving. proven she was truly her brother/ friends know that they were loved She was politically astute, a liter- sister’s keeper on a regular basis. She for who they were in life. Saying ary genius, a great defender for the was not afraid to express herself in goodbye isn’t for me. Instead, I will defense of anything she believed in say that I look forward to seeing that was deemed a violation of their my friend again. It’s been an honor rights. I will truly miss this giant of a knowing you, you will be remem- Freedom Fighter. Love always. Rest bered as a legend, rest in peace my In Peace. friend. Bro. George – an ever on guard Sis. Renee - at any moment any one Union Soldier always seeking to as- of us in the office could have asked sist any person in need of assistance Sis. LaVerne for help and she would (continue on page 4) make herself available to us. Her THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 3 when needed. Sis. LaVerne was the person that listened to them union member or not.

Bro. Collin – she was a Sister and a warrior, I could depend on her to assist me especially with our Seniors Division. Rest In Peace.

Sis. Molly – as General Secretary of the BIU I would like to express my gratitude to Sis. LaVerne for all the assistance she gave me during her years of service as my secretary. Also her dedication and commitment to the organization. Her loss will sure- ly be missed here, she was a shining example of strength and integrity in our office. The Trade Union Move- ment and the political areas. ‘Gone but will never be forgotten may she Rest In Peace.

Bro. Chris - Sister Laverne will be sadly missed by ALL the BIU Staff and the members who she assisted over the years. As President of the BIU I will certainly miss her assis- tance in handling the different situ- ations that arose day to day. I would like to say a sincere thank you to Sister LaVerne for a job well done, I LOVE YOU rest in peace.

The Officers, Staff and membership of the Bermuda Industrial Union express our condolences and love to Sis. LaVerne’s sons, Vanz and David, daughters-in-law, her grandchildren, sister Maxine and her special friend Eugene.

Bermuda has lost one of its most courageous and fearless women, a true warrior.

Rest In Peace ‘Freedom Fighter’ ‘United We Stand – Divided We Fall’

4 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 A Tribute for my Fellow Trade THE OTHER Union Sister, LaVerne Furbert ALTERNATIVE All during the years I have written it was an attempt to insult her and columns, opinions and comments; she picked up on it and did not like one of the sad tasks I have had to it. Her name was Ms. LaVerne under take was to write a tribute Furbert, and she let that be known. for a fallen colleague or work mate. LaVerne, was not only a fellow trade Life is short, most of us don’t really unionist but a colleague in our role take note of that reality until we lose we played together in writing, in the someone that is close to us or plays cause of politics and the struggle of an important role in our lives. My the workers and our country. last words with LaVerne was when By Alvin Williams she called me for my column for I first became aware of LaVerne the Worker’s Voice and later when when we attended the old Elliot I phoned her and asked when the School in Devonshire she attended paper is coming out, and she replied with her sister Maxine. She was she would call me. I am going to a little older than me so I did not miss those calls. know her like that as one would say, but little did we know were our She has now joined the ancestors, paths would cross. the four of us Lionel, Doreen and LaVerne, The BIG Four, together We would later meet in a personal we kept the Worker’s Voice going, way when we worked together at now I am the only one left. the Hog Penny Pub where we had Pot Luck Donation many talks on black history and Rest In Peace my sister, we shall n books on black history, that was meet again. an early attraction, our common respect for books.

But much later we would find ourselves working together on newspapers; the Bermuda Times and of course the Worker’s Voice, where she serves as an editor and Sister Shirley and friends co-columnists. LaVerne was not only a writer, a loyal trade unionists Pepper Spray - House of Assembly and a loyal supporter of the PLP for some forty years, but she would also consider herself a political advocate and what many don’t know unless you had been helped by her, a social worker who helped many people.

LaVerne was very out spoken, not only in her writings but on social media and the talk shows where a LaVerne at PLP rally host gave her the name, The Great BIU Labour Day Defender. But not out of respect, THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 5 Tributes to Sister LaVerne Furbert SEPTEMBER 1, 1946 - JANUARY 31, 2021

Thank-you for the Relationships work and never allowing people The Postal Division of the BIU that were Built” to sidetrack her because they would like to extend our deepest disagreed. Clearly fear was not an sympathies to the family, friends Sis. LaVerne Furbert, Executive option for her. and colleagues of Our Dear Sister Secretary of the Bermuda The Hotel Division would like LaVern Furbert as well as Sister Industrial Union helped to set to extend our sincere condolences to Kathy Landy. Sister Lavern was a standards, for education, skill the Furbert family and we want you great help to us no matter what we levels, wages, working conditions and to know that we are grateful for all of asked of her. Sister Kathy will be quality of life for workers. her sacrifices and time given to help remembered for her vibrant person- The work she done over the years make working conditions for many ality and her out spoken voice during I the history of tomorrow, making more suitable. our general council meetings. In the many changes for the benefit of hearts of the people, their legacy will workers in Bermuda. She remained always be an inspiration. They will true to herself and never compro- United We Stand – surely be missed. mised her integrity. Her job was Divided We Fall her passion, always focusing on her From The Postal Division

6 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 Union Corner Magic 102.7 FM An interactive radio show Tuesdays from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm www.biu.bm

We send our condolences to On Friday afternoon I received an Sister Laverne Furbert. We extend email from Ms. Furbert and was en- Good morning Ronnie and Chris, our deepest sympathies to her fam- couraged by this as it meant she was ily and offer our prayers and may the back in Bermuda after her medical Really sorry to read about passing soul of your Mother be at peace with trip to the US. So it was a great shock of Laverne, a stalwart in your our Heavenly Father. to learn the very sad news yesterday. organization. You guys have had your share of deaths, hang in there. Sincerely, We led our radio and TV news I am certain Laverne will be missed Vector Control Staff today with the very sad news about by many, may she be in a better place her passing. I hope we did her and rest in peace. memory justice today. Dear President Furbert, Regards, Please could you pass on our condo- On behalf of everyone at the Bermu- lences to your colleagues at the BIU. JP da Broadcasting Company I wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the Sincerely, JP Martens Bermuda Industrial Union over the Patrick Singleton Grotto Bay Beach Resort passing of Sister LaVerne Furbert. Company General Manager

THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 7 8 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 Good day colleagues, Please accept condolences on behalf of the BTUC during this very diffi- cult time. Laverne Furbert was much more then a colleague I’m sure. She will be missed in the office, the build- ing, the radio and in the community. Her passing is of personal loss to my family. So I will mourn with you. Regards, Dwight D Jackson - BTUC

Good morning, I am so sorry to hear this she will be truly missed. On behalf of the Print- ers Division and The Royal Gazette we send our heartfelt condolences to Sis Laverne’s family and the BIU family. You all are in our prayers. Sincerely, Sis. Flo Washington - Royal Gazette

Good afternoon President Chris, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ms. Furbert. Our deepest sympa- thies to you, the BIU team and to Ms. Furbert’s family for this great loss. May she rest in peace. Sincerely, Tim Morrison - Hamilton Princess General Manager

THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 9 Tributes to Sister Kathy Landy OCTOBER 23, 1954 - JANUARY 28, 2021

Legacy of a Trade Union Officer Sister Katherine (Kathy) Landy Trade Unionist – Freedom Fighter – Friend

The Officers and Members of the Bermuda Industrial Union, extend their condolences to the family of our Sister Kathy Landy, a dedicat- ed and loyal member of the union for 22 years in the Bus Operators and Allied Workers Division of the Bermuda Industrial Union.

During this period of Union Membership, Sis Kathy developed a keen sense of wanting to demon- strate her abilities to serve the Union Membership. Her leadership roles within her tenure as a member of the BIU were Divisional Secretary, Divisional Vice President and Divisional President.

Sister Kathy was also the Recording Secretary and member of the Exec- utive Board of the B.I.U. responsi- ble for the recording of the minutes of the Executive Board, General Council and General Membership meetings a Union Historian.

During her active membership and in to her retirement Sis. Landy served on the Credit Union Board as a Director, as a key person responsible for the day to day management of Bermuda’s only Credit Union. 10 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 (continue on page 11 She was elected by the International Transport Federation to sit as a member on the Overland Transport Committee and on the women’s committee, which has a global responsibility for safe working con- ditions for transportation workers.

She trained at the University of the West Indies Mona College in 2006 for 4 weeks in the area of Trade Unionism & Industrial Relations. She also attended the George Meaney Labour College – USA training in Industrial For the Bermuda Industrial Union A Pioneer in the area of Relations – Employee Involvement she participated in numerous edu- Transport/Unionism” in the workplace cational seminars on various topics. Sis. Kathy was a community activist Sis. Kathy was short in stature but who assisted workers and mem- big in heart. Fully committed to the bers of the public on the issues of progress of members and growth. substance abuse and the reasons She met a diverse group and never why we should revisit the use of felt there was a hill too high to climb. substance on a regular basis. She commanded attention in meet- ings whether there was a small or Bermuda lost a champion for the large group of people. She loved her health and safety of the workplace, job without reservation or judgment an ambassador Bus driver and and any difficult times she endured, an International Trade Union the membership supported her, she representative. was truly a stalwart. We know she always done her best and there are United We Stand – Divided We Fall many who will always be thankful Bermuda Industrial Union for all her efforts.

The Hotel Division would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Landy family and know that our thoughts and prayers are n with you.

United We Stand – Divided We Fall

THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 11 INTERNATIONAL NEWS IUF Moving Hotel Workers Forward

As Marriott continues its expansion in the Caribbean, IUF affiliates from across the region – including Unions from the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, and Jamaica – met to coordinate their organizing, bargaining, and strategizing to ensure that Marriott hotel workers in the region move forward.

When staying in a hotel, either be treated well. They deserve a vision of Just Tourism around for business or for leisure, or workplaces free of discrimination the world. tasting a delicious meal in a and harassment; they deserve decent restaurant, discerning travellers like working conditions; they deserve a Through this website, you can you often search hard to find the living wage. identify and choose businesses that respect workers’ rights, and value level of service that will make your n stay unique. And they deserve to be able to form good service as much as you do. and join the trade unions that will Workers in the hospitality sector help them secure these rights. work hard to provide those services, and to make sure that guests have a We are the trade unions in the global wonderful experience. hospitality industry, reaching out to you and responsible travellers like Those workers also deserve to you, so that together we can advance

12 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 13 Tributes to Brother Glen Simmons JUNE 18, 1952 – MARCH 3, 2020

The BIU Officers and members and staff of the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) were extremely saddened on Tuesday, March 3rd 2020 after learning of the passing of our beloved 1st Vice President, Brother Glenn Simmons after a short illness.

Brother Glenn was a very active member of the BIU, serving in various capacities. Until the time of his retire- ment three years ago, Brother Glenn was the President of the Bus Operators and Allied Workers Division. Prior to holding the position of 1st Vice Presi- dent of the Bermuda Industrial Union, he served as 2nd Vice President. Broth- er Glenn served as a member of the BIU’s Government Negotiating Team, the Government Employees Health Insurance Board, and the Public Service Superannuation Board. Bro. Glenn sat as a Director of the Bermuda Credit Union Cooperative Society

Brother Glenn spent many hours at Seaside Grill in particular and a Rum it was not unusual to find him either BIU Headquarters and was like a big Swizzle. The visitors loved Bro. Glenn filing in the Secretariat or assisting in the brother to some of the staff and a younger and were also sadden to hear of his Accounts Department or he would brother to others. Once he retired passing and send condolences. attend meetings and still offer his from his position as a Bus Operator opinion. He just wanted to be busy and and became a full time taxi operator, Brother Glenn was a regular fixture at we all tried to accommodate him. he became the Union’s unofficial BIU Headquarters, so much so that transportation provider, he would pick some people thought that he was an em- Brother Glenn was a no-nonsense trade up any visiting guest that the BIU and ployee. He would however fill in when unionist and if you crossed his path or the Credit Union had coming to the needed such as when our Custodian was rubbed him the wrong way, he would say island. By the time they reached union on vacation or out sick, he also would to that person “You are lucky I know you, headquarters Bro. Glenn had taken help out at the gas station when need- because I would burn you in a minute.” them for a quick tour in the ‘real part ed, he enjoyed that and was the greatest of town’ as he would say and made sure gas attendant. Brother Glenn loved the He was always telling somebody ‘I they had a Bermuda fish sandwich from BIU so much that during his last days (continue on page 15)

14 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 would go in your chops’ which we would laugh because we knew it was just words. We usually heard Bro. Glenn before we saw him, he would just always be making a lot noise, just ask the ladies at Supermart on Front Street, the staff at Soul Food, Yardie Kitchen and the list goes on. Bro. Glenn liked to eat although he could be a bit fuzzy about what he ate, when the BIU, the PLP and St. Paul’s AME church started the feeding program, Bro. Glenn would walk in and say I have to eat first before serving. Bro. Glenn would sometimes be membership as a whole, he felt he was him to follow through and to let his the only man helping out and he was a Bro. Chris’s protector and would always leadership skills come to the surface great help, he had no problem cleaning tell him he has his back, Sis. Molly and and shine. and he was good at it. him share a special bond, as a matter of fact Bro. Glenn would tell people he Whenever the Union was demonstrating Bro. Glenn had formed special bonds is the son she left at the hospital. Bro. on issues of social justice, Brother Glenn with all the staff at the BIU and the Glenn and Sis. LaVerne were almost and Bro. Collin would be right up front like a sister and brother team, he being a leading the march. At one time they very irritating younger brother at times, were both recovering from personal but they share a special time and when illnesses, he was wearing a boot and Sis. LaVerne was off island she trusted using a cane and Bro. Collin was using Bro. Glenn to check on her house. Sis. a cane as well. Neither of them let their Ronnie and Bro. Glenn had a very close personal physical ailments prevent them relationship, they got along truly as a from demonstrating. They were two brother and a sister. trade unionists prepared to represent the rights of workers. Brother Glenn and Bro. Collin sat side by side on the Executive Board and it Bro. Glenn will certainly be missed by was not unusual for him to lean over his BIU family and all that knew him to Bro. Collin and ask for guidance he will be talked about years from now when he needed assistance. Bro. Glenn as one of the true Trade Unionist of the respected the other officers who sat on twentieth century, may his soul rest in the Executive Board. Many times Bro. peace until that great getting up morning. Collin would say things to encourage The Bermuda Industrial Union extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Maxine, his daughters Mahogany and Glennice, his son Maxon, his two sis- ters Diane Hunt and Donna Smith, his brother Carlton and the entire Simmons family. May you find peace and know that Bro. Glenn was a man of the people.

United We Stand – Divided We Fall

THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 15 Tributes to Brother Cal Smith JULY 7 1933 - AUG 21 2020

Tribute to a Freedom Fighter Bro. Calvin James the Trade Union Movement, in the following key positions: McDonald Smith • 1983-2001 General Manager of The Officers and Members of the the BIU Members Credit Union Bermuda Industrial Union, express (18yrs) successfully participating their heartfelt condolences to Bro. in building a workers financial Calvin Smith’s widow, Sis. Jeanine, organization his two sons – Bro. Chris and Bro. Steven and their families. • 2002-2014 Research Officer for the Bermuda Industrial Union (12 Freedom Fighter -Trade Unionist yrs). Bro. Cal was an integral part of the BIU and was instrumental Bro. Calvin Smith was born from a in helping us form policy as a long line of Freedom Fighters and result of his extensive research people with a vision on leading the experience. Bermudian people to a better future. A descendant of Peter Smith of the This was a total of 30 years of Caves and Smith Tribe of Tucker leadership that Bro. Cal provided Town, Bro. Cal is one of the mem- Movement. These events awakened to the members of the BIU bers of this tribe who continued to his fighting spirit as some of his best which included some of his best serve Bermuda in a number of key mates, like Brothers Ottie, Arthur, advice gleaned from his years of positions and demonstrated excel- Eugene and Walter were some of experience in the fields of Statistics lent professional leadership skills. the principal warriors in the battle and Trade Unionism. Thanks to Bro. for social change and better working Cal for a job well done and may he n He returned to Bermuda in 1965, in and living conditions for the rest in peace. time to experience the rebirth of the Bermudian workforce. Retirement labour movement and the explosion from his Government leadership UNITED WE STAND of workers joining the Trade Union role allowed him to be recruited by DIVIDED WE FALL

16 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 A Tribute To Another Gone Too Soon From The Golden Generation of Freedom Fighters

IN MY OPINION, the alignment the only one cooked to perfection the development of technologies to and subsequent fusion of conditions in a ‘pressure pot’ of converging so- share their truths and bring about that gave rise to who Sister Laverne cial, political, historical, cultural and further ignition of any fires of pro- Furbert was and what she was driv- economic conditions. Her contem- test, fights for freedom and justice en to do will not likely arise again poraries, from her early days as a across space and time. Who were in the near or far future. Born into student at to these personalities? With the pass- a Bermuda that was racially segre- her last days as a dedicated servant ing of elder statesmen such as Dr gated in most areas of society and for the Bermuda Industrial Union, E.F. Gordon, out of these ashes raised during the ‘storm in a tea cup’ numbered many like her that were would see the second half of the years that would see formal racial equally shaped by what she would 20th century give birth to some of segregation dissolved only to be re- call “the two ” and many Bermuda’s most iconic freedom placed by a more subtle yet perhaps also, like her, would go on to work to fighters, both those in positions of more psychologically damaging ra- effect the change that they saw was leadership and those less seen but cially stratified society, Laverne like needed to bring about a new day working diligently in the back- other Bermudians of African-de- that the generations of today enjoy… ground. Figures such as Mose Allen, scent in her generation would have and quite frankly most not being Dame Lois Browne Evans, Freddie no choice but to both confront and aware from whence and whom that Wade, Roosevelt Brown, Dr Barba- absorb the lessons that the inevi- comfort and freedom came. ra Ball, Ottiwell Simmons, Dr Eva table trauma of her environment Hodgson, Ira Phillip, Julian Hall, would have on them. For those of us These personalities forged in fires of Ewart Brown, Dale Butler and of who know history, particularly that injustice and oppression were also course, controversial figures such as which occurred in this tiny but dy- empowered with a new world that Mel Saltus, Larry Tacklyn and Buck namic, world-influencing island that was waking up to these realities and, Erskine Burrows, just to name a few. we call home, Laverne would not be at the same time, enabled through (continue on page 19)

THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 17 Paget Primary P5 Students Interview Bro. Ottie Simmons for Black History Month

Paget Primary, P5 Smith, students Malyah Burgess and Saire Simons came to the Bermuda Industrial Union to interview, President Emeritus, Bro. Ottiwell Simmons for their Bermuda Black History Virtual Museum.

The two students were very articulate and comfortable, sitting with the longest serving former President of the BIU. They asked him several questions relating to his 22 year presidency at the BIU, the BELCO Strike of 1965, what were his fondest memories of being president of the BIU, the chang- es that were made that benefitted unionized workers and his many Lady of Labour’. Sis. Malayah let We would like to say thank-you accomplishments. Bro. Ottie know her Nana said hello to P5 teacher Ms. Monica Smith and that she had played a part in the and Ms. Monique Paul, Learning Bro. Ottie was just as comfortable Labour Movement and Bro. Saire Support Teacher and Mrs. Riche as the students and delighted to be let Bro. Ottie know he knew one Robinson Para-educator who in their presence, after the interview of his grandchildren. It was a very accompanied the students as well as he presented the students with His- delightful interview and both Bro. Mr. Jason Burrows Custodian who n tory Book of the BIU and the book Ottie and the students were quite recorded the interview. he wrote on Dr. Barbara Ball ‘Our pleased with the interview.

18 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 activism amongst the most mitment to standing at the ready to forgotten and oppressed of society defend Bermuda’s workers and their and grassroots political activism capabilities, to call out any base- across the decades including running less attempts to defame them and for parliament several times unsuc- to laud the potential of the island cessfully. and especially its young people, all would remain as an essential part of One of her earliest guest editorials her authorship. For me, as her son, in the Workers Voice (January 14, and for many others as her friend, 1994), possibly her first but definite- colleague and kindred spirit in the ly not her last, was titled “How long political and trade unionist spheres, will we depend on foreign experts?” her passing would always be that Sis. LaVerne Furbert Typically hard-hitting as was her of “gone too soon”. However, for nature when she put pen to paper, this island and our world, with her Whether you agree with the politics Sister Laverne pulls no punches in passing and that of many others in or actions of the aforementioned this editorial for her commitment to this golden generation of freedom figures, there is no denying that the the upliftment of Bermuda and its fighters, activists and grassroot foot conditions that shaped them all are people as well as to the calling out of soldiers who worked so tirelessly in unlikely to happen again, at least not injustice, especially that which was the trenches, the loss of yet another in the same way and with the same founded on false assumptions based great one is akin to seeing the cur- resulting powder keg reverberations on perceived inadequacies of Ber- tains fall on an era that was truly as what existed from the 1950s to muda’s native workers. She writes remarkable for the fires of change the 1980s. “If the United Bermuda Party it swept in. Will we ever see some- government had any foresight at thing like it again? In my opinion, For Sister Laverne, it would be all, Bermudians would already be no, but I am sincerely humbled and both action and words by which she prepared to operate the airport. As filled with gratitude for all that was wielded her big stick that she would long as the powers that be insist on done and likewise for being a prod- subsequently carry as a result of this using foreign expertise as op- uct of those who brought it about. genesis and by the time she moved posed to Bermudians, the island Thank you, Sister Laverne Furbert, fully into writing as her chief form will continually be run by foreign for all that you did and all that of activism, she had already been “experts.”” Almost three decades you were! well hardened on the battle fields and countless articles, editorials and of the local civil rights movement “In My Opinion” pieces later, both In loving tribute, of the 1970s, social and community her hard-hitting style and her com- Your Son Dr David E Chapman

THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021 19 PUZZLE•PUZZLE•PUZZLE•PUZZLE•PUZZLE If you knew LaVerne, then you knew doing crosswords was a hobby of hers! Every morning, before the rest of us are even up, at night before she slept or just when she had a spare, quiet moment, this would be her activity. We miss you LaVerne and we thank you for all that you did and all that you were.

20 THE WORKERS VOICE MARCH 8, 2021