(Photo by Sister Valerie Ming) 'S FIRST LABOUR DAY MARRED BY INDIFFERENT GOVT. Bermuda's first ever Labour Day holiday will go down in history as yet another day in which the workers' organisations of Bermuda came together in a show of solidarity. But that day was different For on that day, the workers were not protesting against the em­ ployers or the Government; they were not out to embarrass or put pressure on anyone; they were not marching to demonstrate that labour is a powerful institution in these islands. No. On that day the workers were gathered together to celebrate the acknowledgement of their contribution to the prosperity of this country. After having been denied that recognition for so long. In spite of the Bermuda Government's blatant boycott of the planned festivities and the VOL 11. NO. 23. Price: 15 cents. UBP's "family picnic" (arranged to compete against the Labour Day march), thousands of workers Hamilton, Bermuda - Friday, Sept. 17, 1982 converged on Union Square on the morning of Monday, September 6, to take part in the threemile walk to Bernard Park. The day's activities got off to a start with a and the marchers set off, their ranks punctuated prayer from tiie Reverend Larry Lowe (pastor by the various banners of the groups and organ­ Founders Banquet of St. Paul's AME church). This was followed isations which were participating. by brief remarks from overseas guests (listed It had been planned that the march would When the Bemnida Industrial Union held its stop en route at various sites in the City of Ham­ Founders Banquet on Saturday, Sept. 4 at the elsewhere), and by BIU president Brother Otti­ well Simmons. ilton which had been the scenes of historical in­ Sonesta Hotel, no fewer than 23 names were cidents in the labour movement of Bermuda. caUed for honourable mention. After some slight delay, the lines were formed On this occasion which was held to coincide STRIKES, PROTESTS & BOYCOTTS with Bermuda's first Labour Day, 13 individuals The first stop made was outside St. Paul's who were among the first members of the BIU AME church, where the Amalgamated Bermuda way back in the late 1940s, were on hand to re­ Union of Teachers (the oldest Union in ceive commemorative cedar pins, carved by the formed in the 30's) used to meet in the old master craftsman Brother John Davis. church hall. Brothers Wycliffe Stovell, Gerald Brangman, Further up Court Street, the marchers paused A. B. Place and Sam Samuels, and Sisters Althea again, outside the building known as Bollocks DePina and Aim Pindar were unable to attend. Building, where the founding members met and "deceased members included Dr. Edgar Fitzger- formed themselves into Bermuda's first political —aid Gordon, Brothers Leonard Bascome, Charles party, the Progressive Labour Party, in 1963. Morton, Sr. and WiUiam Davis. A stop had been planned outside Alexandrina Those who came forward to a thunderous Hall, next to the Salvation Army hall on Court round of applause were: Sisters Rosalie Douglas Street. For this was the site of the first Bermuda and lona MaxweU, Brothers Martin WUson, AUan Industrial Union Delegates' Conference held in RusseU, Austin Wilson, John Davis, Robert Van­ 1958. derpool, Clarence Trott, W. E. R. JoeU, Charles But the marchers did not pause there. They Bean, Carl Wade, Carl Bassett and Lionel Jean- FOUNDERS BANQUET. Among the head table marched straight on down to Front Street and Jacques. notables at the BIU Founders Banquet were Mr. along that street, until they came to No. 1 Shed liie presentation foUowed the keynote ad­ and Mrs. Andrew Young and BIU President Otti­ on the docks. Once more the march came to a dress by Atianta Mayor Andrew Young (see page well Simmons (left). Mr. Young was the keynote halt whilst, over, the public address system, the 4 for first part). speaker. (Photo by Brother Irving Carey) (Continued on page 3)

^ WHY THE U.B.P. WANTS TO The Workers Voice Published and Printed by KNOCK JOHN SWAN... THE BERMUDA INDUSTRIAL UNION Hamilton, Bermuda The front page stories carried by two local es­ tablishment newspapers recently, concerning By OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Editor Barbara B. Ball premier John Swan and his reputed aide, un­ Assistants ..Lionel Pearman and Doreen Lightbourn wittingly offered the community an acute in­ "behind the premier's back", while he was General Council Representatives: sight Into the interna! power structure of the abroad and seemingly, was neither forewarned George Baisden, Austin Thomas & Kenyetta Young UBP. The story carried by "The Sun", must of it, prior to his return, nor shielded from the Telephone: 2-0044, Ext. 121 have represented the most astonishing allegation press when he did arrive later that day at the ^ of impropriety ever "officially" launched against Civil Air Terminal. ,[ v FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 17,1982 a Government leader since 1968. In addition to this, the UBP's long-standing '^ Firstly, at a time when no official decision on practice of retaining foreign consultants was this year's status recipients had even been an­ challenged in another context, earlier the same nounced, the story implied that the premier had week. RACISM SEEN ON rewarded a loyal servant by ensuring that he ob­ BIASED REPORTING tained status. Secondly, there is the suggestion One should not be beguiled into following the that the non-Bermudlan advisor's legal right to Pied Pipering of newspapers, who never attack LABOUR DAY! advise the premier is questionable. the real wielders of power in Bermuda. It would Thirdly, there is the indication that certain be far more instructive to calmly contemplate The dust of the marchers (some 2,000 of UBP members were unhappy about the prem­ the possible answers to question such as the ihem) has settled; the songs and the speeches ier's having such a personal advisor. Fourthly, following: are now a part of history. there is the fact that this story was published 1. Since when have the establishment press But the memory of Bermuda's first Labour been so eager to accuse UBP leaders of impro­ Day holiday (Monday, September 6) will remain priety? fresh in the minds of those who participated. 2. Since when has the establishment press Those persons who served on the Joint Lab­ been so eager to scrutinize the basis on which our Day Committee worked hard in an effort to particular individuals have been granted status? make that day one which ALL workers in Ber­ Leffers to 3. Why should the granting of status to any muda could celebrate, in a spirit of together­ individual by the supposedly non-political Status ness and a general resolution to go forward to­ Committee, cause a stink in the UBP branches? gether. fhe Editor 4. Why should there have been rumblings Unfortunately, some members of the UBP within the UBP about the premier having a per­ Government demonstrated a complete unaware- sonal advisor? ness of the solidarity of purpose felt by most It may not be accidental that John Swan is workers in Bermuda. Or else they were aware not only the first, black, Bermudian-born pre­ Dear Madam, and feared such solidarity. Sheer pettiness and mier, but also the first black to aggressively The Labour Day march and other events put on by a complete lack of understanding led certain of make a grab for the UBP leadership, as opposed the Joint Labour Day Committee was a historical spec­ them to indulge in a childish "tantrum". Like to meekly waiting to be nominated by the real tacular. I therefore offer congratulations and commen­ spoiled children who cannot get ^eir way, they powers-that-be. dations to the Committee for a job well done. stamped a collective foot and declared, in ess­ It may not be coincidental that the premier's ence, "If I can't say what game we're going to Unfortunately, however, the United Bermuda Party reputed aide is a non-white "expat", from an play, then I won't play. And I'll start a little (Government) chose to-mark Labour Day by holding independent non-white family, who is not a game of my own in competition!" a picnic (drinking party) at Ferry Reach. creature of the white inner sanctum of the UBP. The result was that, while several thousand The UBP "picnic" divided the loyalties of the com­ It may be significant that, since John Swan workers took part in the Labour Day march munity, in that, I believe, many more than the estim­ snatched the premiership, he has continued to and the events at Bernard Park, according to a ated 5,000 would have been at Bernard's Park, but cultivate such a popular personal following that • ) reliable source, only about 30 to 50 persons many stayed away because the UBP claimed the Unions he may soon wield sufficient political clout in ^=^ joined In the UBP "game" at Ferry Reach. were politicking. his own right, to be able to stand up to the But even more distressing, was the absence I was on the march and at the park. I did not see white inner sanctum of the UBP, rather than be­ of any number of white workers on the march any politics. What I did see, was a most professional ing their puppet. And the UBP branches could and at Bernard Park. singer in Mrs. Joy Blackett, the goddaughter of the late only be concerned about why any particular Can it be that all the white workers in Ber­ Dr. E.F.Gordon, the mayor of Atlanta, Mr Andrew individual has been granted status, if they nor­ muda do not think of themselves as "workers"? Young and several other speakers and some classic Ber­ mally have some say in what should be a non­ Because most of them draw "salaries" as op­ mudian entertainment. There were no drunks at the partisan arena. posed to "wages", do they see themselves as park! HOLLOW CLAIMS "upper middle class" and not working class? In the next election, I hope the voters will unite Whatever the precise answers to these and It is no secret that most of the British-born against the UBP and vote in the PLP. I am now con­ other similar such questions, there can be no residents of Bermuda come from working class vinced that Bermuda needs a PLP Government, which doubt that, within the UBP, there are both pub­ backgrounds in the . Yet, it will be much more aware of the needs of all Bermud­ lic and private seats of power. would seem that when they arrive In Bermuda, ians, and will not be so dlvisive'as the UBP. This picture is by no means a new one: the they immediately adopt the mores and atti­ BERMUDIAN WORKER establishment of the Black Caucus within the tudes of the "upper" classes. Dear Madam, UBP some years ago, was a more graphic illus­ There is, too, always an element of fear and tration of how hollow that Party's claims to We've had grave warnings coricerning the economic insecurity — unless they have acquired Ber­ being an equal partnership between the races wellbeing of Bermudians, In view of the recessions In muda status. The pernicious immigration laws really are. the and other places. But more serious is and the authority and domination of a hand- So, regardless of what one thinks of the po; • ^1 of rich, white Bermudian families makes the H.E.B. and UBP Government's threat to take us B.I.U. members to court. litical choice made by John Swan some years sure that, even those "expats" vi^o may feel ago, the recent attack on him from within his If Government was concerned and fair to the people a sense of belonging to the aims of labour, are own Party indicates, in a perverse way, that he they wouldn't be asking the B.I.U. to think about these afraid of being kicked out of "paradise" if they is becoming too heavy for the UBP heavy­ threats. Government would be telling the H.E.B. to drop do not support the "masters". weights. the case and try to mend the situation and get on with Historically, the poor, white working class That this attack flies In the face of logic and the job of solving the tourist problem. Bermudians have never identified with their the value of the premier to the Party is proof Jim Woolridge also created a problem with his poor black brothers and sisters. The blight of racism of the extent to which racism clouds their judge­ statement he made concerning the poor tourist coming has distorted their vision and understanding of ment and is an operating factor in the running to Bermuda. I strongly believe he should have resigned what their real position is In this society. of Bermuda by the country's true rulers. from his post as Minister of Tourism. Plus he should So, as always happens, whenever any attempt For the white, inner sanctum of the UBP ob­ have made an apology to the U.S. Tourist department. is made to unite the working people in this "is­ viously regard the escape of any black man Have you been reading the letters to the editor or check­ land paradise", there are always those who are from the familiar "boy syndrome" as fright­ ing the number of empty beds, since he made that state­ afraid to be a part of any such movement. ening a metamorphosis as that of Dr. Jekyll and ment? Yet we believe that, if those human beings Mr. Hyde. Rather the boy they know than the "" had overcome their fear and estrangement B.I.U. members remember our motto, "United we man they do not. '^^^ stand, divided we fall". You trample on one, you tram­ and had joined in the march and the events at And that is an important reason why the UBP ple on all! Bernard Park, they would have experienced a wants to knock John Swan. feeling of brotherhood and belonging. We have struggled a long time for justice and will con­ For, after all, we are all workers, in one sense tinue to struggle. We will not let Dr. Gordon and others or another. And most of us do feel that we have like him, down. We have come a long way and the only made and/or are making, some contribution to­ way I see it is to go fon/vard - not backwards, to the HA VE YOU HELPED A wards the prosperity and stability of this col­ bad old days (of slavery). ony. Why, therefore, cannot we all come to­ B.I.U. sisters and brothers, think about what hap­ DISABLED PERSON gether, regardless of race, creed or colour, and pened in the past; that long, hard struggle, and rem­ on at least one day in the year, unite In a com­ ember our motto, and strive together for our future, mon tribute to the contribution made by all of as you did for the tax off your grats! THIS MONTH? us? B.I.U. SISTER BERMUDA'S FIRST LABOUR DAY CRICKET MATCH A cricket match was held at the Devonshire match, it was stated by many of the players Recreation Club on Saturday, September 4, as that they had paiiicipated because it was a BIU LABOUR DAY a special pre-labour day event. The two teams, event leading up to tht^ first Labour Day holi­ (Continued from pu^^t; 1) the Dr. Gordon and Leonard Bascome teams, day. workers were informed that this was where the played for the Dr. Gordon and Leonard Bas­ To quality as a player each man had to be Riot Act was read in Bermuda for the first time, come trophy, donated by the Bermuda Indust­ over 45 years of age. Several players recalled during the dock strike of 1959. rial Union, that, at the time of the BELCO strike in 1965, Hamilton Princess hotel was the next stop. The match was sponsored by the Labour Day it was the Devonshire Recreation Club that had This was where the Musicians & Variety Artistes Committee, and was arranged by a committee opened its doors to the workers fleeing from , ' 'nion was formed. of three, Brothers Clive Tucker, Austin (Cheezy) the violence outside BELCO. ''^^ The march then continued on to BELCO, Hughes and Norris Caines. As well as the trophy, there were prizes from where, in 1965, workers picketing for Union The committee decided to have ex-Cup Match the Captain's Lounge — dinner for two, and the recognition came into open conflict with the players play against The Rest. The ex-Cup Match International Sports Shop gave a trophy to the police. team was captained by Woodgate Simmons losers. Those at the presentation made a collec­ The last stop was at the site of the old Island (SCC), and was the Dr, Gordon team. tion for ex-Cup Match player, Ralph Mallory, Theatre, which, in the late 50's was boycotted The Leonard Bascome team was captained by who has to go away for an operation. They col­ by black people, seeking to end racial discrimin­ Clyde Tucker (PHCC). lected $370. ation and segregation. An interesting event The Dr.Gordon team won the match, because It was decided unanimously that the commi­ which took place during that boycott was when of a quicker run rate. The score was: Leonard ttee would remain in office and would prepare certain black and white persons who came from Bascome team, 141 all out, and Dr.Gordon for a bigger and better event next year. The the U.S. Naval Air Station to address the crowds 60 for 3 wickets. date has already been set — Saturday, Septem­ were arrested by U.S. military police. At the presentation get-together after the ber 3,1983. From there on, the march continued uninter­ rupted along a route lined by crowds of obser­ vers, who waved, cheered and applauded the marchers. A GREAT DAY The sound of drums heralded the immin­ ent approach of the marchers to those persons, (some severel hundred strong) who were wait­ ing in Bernard Park. And who greeted the mar­ chers with loud applause, as they marched onto the field. It was specially heart-warming to see the very young drum majorettes, in their colourful cos­ tumes, still stepping bravely forward, after the long, hot walk from Union Square. Speeches were made from the stage (which had been specially erected for the occasion) The first to speak was Mayor Andrew Young who, with his wife Jean had led the marchers from Union Square. Many Portuguese families had turned up to hear from the Portuguese Secretary of State for Labour, Dr. Joaquim Maria Fernandes Marques, d from Dr. Jose Vieira MesquJto. s_ Bermudian musicians and artistes provided magnificent entertainment throughout the after­ noon and into the night Those artistes who took part were: Joy Blackett, Bermuda Steelers, Ghandi Bur­ gess Sessions Band from all hotels, Bermuda Strollers, Esso Steel Band, Hubert Smith & the Coral Islanders, Gene Steede, Bermuda All Stars, Fiery Limbo Dancers, Somers Isle Jazz Band, Eddie Ming & Storm. The Better Half, The Longtails, Ital Foundation, Clay House Inn hyp­ notist, 3rd & 4th Generation, and Direct Drive. Throught the afternoon and evening, Bernard Park wore a festive air as men, women and chil­ dren strolled around the stalls, or rested and listened to the performing artistes. All who were a part of that day's activities were unanimous in their opinion that Monday, September 6, 1982 was indeed a GREAT DAY for Labour, and a GREAT First Labour Day! Children's Party About 300 children turned up for the party held at B.I.U. headquarters main hall on Satur­ day, September 11. They watched movies and were regaled with BERNARD PARK FESTIVITIES hot dogs, ice cream and soft drinks. They also tucked into the special labour day cakes which had been sent to the Union by 12 hotels in the OVERSEAS LABOUR DAY GUESTS WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE island. Many of the cakes were beautifully and In addition to the presence of Mayor Andrew The Ways and Means Committee of the BIU symbolically decorated — and ten of them dis­ Young of Atlanta, the Bermuda Industrial Union was responsible for organising the many activi­ appeared by the end of the afternoon! played host to several other overseas guests for ties surrounding Labour Day. The Founders , Hotel organiser, Molly Burgess, who was on the Labour Day festivities two weeks ago. Banquet and the children's party, as well as se­ -/jT d to join in the fun, told Workers Voice that Coming from were Dr. Joaquim Fer­ curing accommodations for the overseas guests, It-was very successful and all the children had a nandes IVIaria Marques, Secretary of State for were among their duties. Representatives of this great afternoon. Labour and his associate Dr. Jose Veiera Mes- committee also served on the Joint Labour Day quito. Brother Charles Hayes, Vice President of Organising Committee that organised the Roots the Union of Food and Commercial Workers, March and the Bernard Park celebrations. Members serving on this committee are: Sis­ LITTER IS A SLAP IN based in Chicago, and his assistant. Sister Edna Miller, were first-time visitors to Bermuda. ters Molly Burgess (chairperson), Carolyn Frank­ BERMUDA'S FACE . . . Also on hand was a frequent visitor, Brother lin, Olive Hewey, Caroline Edwards, Marilyn Leslie Roberts, a vice president of District 65/ Butterfield, Brothers George Baisden, Sylvester AND YOURS. PITCH IN United Auto Workers. These visitors were all Hill, Lee Harvey, Vernon Hollis, Victor Fishing­ AND HELP TO KEEP head table guests at the Founders Banquet held ton and Kenyetta Young. at Sonesta Hotel September 4. BERMUDA BEAUTIFUL! The Workers Voice, Friday, Sept. 17, 1982 2 Andrew Young Addresses BIU Founders Banquet ments, we have been able to succeed. And we have succeeded, not only for ourselves, but we Atlanta Mayor Compares have succeeded for them also. The progress to the least of these, our brothers, has been also progress to those who were considering them­ Bermuda With His City selves high and mighty. The Bermuda Industrial Union hosted a ban­ Indeed, they would not have been able to quet at the Sonesta Beach Hotel in Southamp­ achieve that level of progress had we not de­ ton on Saturday, September 4 to honour the manded and had we not organised and insisted. union's founders. Had we not created the political environment where it was necessary, to bring about change. Guest speaker at the banquet was the Hon­ ourable Andrew Young, Mayor of Atlanta. In his AGGRESSIVE GOODWILL ^ speech, Mr. Young touched on a wide variety of I thmk tiie secret of that success is that we subjects and shared some of his thoughts and understood that, in order for us to succeed, par­ feelings with those present. ticularly in the kind of environment in which Followii^ is the first in a two-part report on we live, that success must be on a new moral his address: and spiritual level. That indeed, if we were just It is extremely interesting and encouraging to going to sin like our oppressors had sinned; if me that two gentlemen have come from the Un­ we were simply going to change the nature and ited States, to be present on this occasion. Mr colour of oppression, then we could not have Roberts of District 65 in New York and Mr. succeeded. There had to be a quaUtative diff­ Charles Hayes, of whatever that big Union is erence in relationships estabUshed as a result that he's now vice president of! I knew him of our success. when he was the vice president of the old Pack­ And we were fortunate that our success came ing House Workers. But the significant thing is from the Judao/Christian tradition. And that that District 65 and the Packing House Workers Martin Luther King heard the voice of Mahatma were the first unions to identify with Martin Ghandi in India, and he understood the philo­ Luther King and to offer their support to the sophy of non-violence. And he understood that Montgomery bus walkout, way back in 1955. non-violence was organised, E^gressive, active And it's good to see that those unions are still goodwiU. That it was not enoi^h to be passive. very much on the case, and that they are con­ ATLANTA'S MAYOR ANDREW YOUNG It was not enough just to accept your sufferii^. cemed about people oi^anising and working to­ Somehow, you had to oi^anise aggressively. But, gether, to protect the rights and opportunities People who, because of our slavery and opp­ even in organising aggressively, there had to be of workers all over the world. ression, and even our suffering, are likely to be the maintenance of goodwiU, even for one's op­ more sensitive to those things that will make I don't know that there is a country that has pressor. other men suffer. And, hopefuUy, work together That the hallmark of our movement was that had more difficulties and struggles than the to abolish that suffering for all mankind. Uttle country of Portugal. And yet, that little we insisted that there be no destruction of either country of Portugal has made quite an impact THE WEALTHY FEW person or property. And that, in that moral pur­ on the world in which we live, not only from the I come from a city that I find rather similar ity, we achieved a kind of victory for ourselves, time of the quote "discovery", so-called, of the to Bermuda. We are about the same climate and for our city and for oxu: nation that, I think, United States, but more recently, the Uberation we are rather prosperous, as cities go. Just as gives some lessons to the world. of Angola and Mozambique and of Cap Verde you are rather prosperous, in relation to other I don't want to tell you what to do here, and and Guinea Bisset woidd not have been accom- island nations around the Caribbean, we are I don't know enoi^h about Bermuda in two or pUshed, without the active intervention of org­ rather prosperous in relation to other cities in three days. I've leamed from my brother and anised labour and the democratic forces of free­ America. his wife, who have visited here on numerous dom, operating in the coimtry of Portugal. We are a city that is just about half and half— occasions — my brotiier is almost a Bermudian! So, when we sing "SoUdarity forever", we're black and white. The city itself is about 60% to For, in addition to his practice of dentistry in. ^_ not only thinkii^ of the United States and Ber­ 65% black — they never quite count all the black Atlanta, he finds this a very good place to do muda. We are clearly thinking of Portugal, of folk, so we don't reaUy know how many we business. So we know a Uttle about Bermuda, Africa; we are thinking of other countries in the are! But the county is about 50/50, and when but not enough to give anybody advice. Caribbean; we're thinking of the people of Pol­ you include the suburbs, we're stiU pretty well However, I do want to share some of the and; we're thinking of workers, wherever they racially balanced and we are required, in order things we are learning, m the midst of our con­ may be, stru^ing to be respected and to be rep­ to survive, to leam to live together. tinuing struggle. For, even when you have been resented and to be compensated adequately for In our city we have achieved a certain amount a congressman and a mayor and an ambassador, their labours. of social advancement. We have educational op­ there are stiU constant reminders of the neces­ portunities; we have health care. People do in­ LISTEN TO WORKERS sity for stmggle, whether it be in New York or volve themselves in business. There are entre- London or here in Bermuda. I would say that, in this day and age, evem preneiurs. Labom unions are fairly well organ­ more important than the compensation is the ised. But essentially, though we have some signi­ UNIVERSAL RACISM need that workers be listened to. For nobody ficant opportunities, the wealth of our city is I was Uving on the 42nd floor of the Waldorf knows any better what's right and what's wrong StiU concentrated in the hands of too few. And Astoria, and I was the most important ambas­ on any given job, than the person who spends usuaUy they are not of the same colour as the sador , the United States 'ambassador to the 30 to 40, sometimes 60 hours a week doii^ that rest of us. United Nations, and I came down through the job. And God, in His wisdom, did not relegate But that gives us something of a chaUenge. garage. There was my chauffeur and limousine, intelligence only to a select few, who happen to For what we have seen in that city is that, every waiting for me. But one of my big, bold breth­ be privileged with formal opportunities of edu­ time those of us who have been on the bottom ren firom Texas looked at me and all he saw was cation and certification. God's wisdom has been have struggled to demand change and improve­ (Continued on page 6) bestowed wherever there are His children who will open their hearts and be sensitive to His word and sensitive to each other. I was pleased, and I think that you, the foun­ der of this Union, would be pleased that, as I wandered around this Uttle country, one of the Subscribe to sights that was pointed out to me was the home of one of your founders, Mr. Wilson (Martin T.). A place where, according to the taxi driver, peo­ The ^Workers Woice ple who need advice, people who are looking for enl^tenment, know that here is a man of wis­ dom and they beat a path to his door, to hear I enclose $4.50 for one (1) year's subscription to THE WORKERS VOICE what he has to say about the events of the day. So it's a pleasure for me to join with you in Name. giving honour to those founders of your Union and to have this opportunity to share a few Address words with you, about the continuing struggle a that we, as lovers of freedom, are waging. We, who are determined to be free, simply because we have known slavery and oppression so long. Overseas subscription: $8.00 for one year

THE WORKERS VOICE LITTER IS A SLAP IN BERMUDA'S FACE .. c/o The Bermuda Industrial Union AND YOURS! PITCH IN AND HELP TO Union Square, Hamilton 5-26 KEEP BERMUDA BEAUTIFUL! Bermuda 4 The Workers Voice, Friday, Sept. 17,1982

BB=n- The Other Alternative By ALVIN WILLIAMS

Bermuda's first Labour Day hoUday is now t history. Thousands of Bermudian workers da, speariieaded by the BIU, are natural allies. marched through the streets of Hamilton; ban­ They both have the same bacl^round, growing ners held high, proclaiming their solidarity, re­ out of the stru^e of black Bermudians for hu­ membering those who laid the foundation of man rights. Bermuda's trade union movement. The UBP background is rooted in the react­ This is the way it should be; because too of­ ionary racist mentality tiiat has ruled this coim­ ten, in Bermuda's history, the vnrong people get try for the past nearly four hundred years. And the credit for social and economic chnage and they are alUed with tiie employers and the large the vnnning of human rights for Bermudians. settler population, which now outnumbers the It is now time for Bermudians to reclaim their Bermuda-bom whites. history and to put it in perspective with their AU these groups are clashing over the direc­ daily lives, and how it wiU affect the future dir­ tion of a future Bermuda and you can see this Dawnae Russell (above) was the second stu­ ection of this country. clearly in the divei^ent views these groups took dent taken on to work throughout the summer There can be no doubt that the reason the over the war in the Falklands, the issue of sanc­ holidays at BIU Headquarters. (The other was workers of this coimtry now have a day set tions against South Africa and , in Bermuda, the Tracy Harvey who we featured In the July 16 aside for them was due to the historical soUdar­ trade union movement and the independence of edition). ity they showed during the April/May '81 strike Bermuda. Born June 27, 1967, Dawnae isthe only child by hospital and govemment workers. It is this hard rock of reaUty that has been of Dawnette, who works in the X-Ray Depart­ Without the mass soUdarity given those divis­ the controlling factor in Bermudian poUtics. ment of the King Edward VII Hospital, and Alec ions, by the majority of Bermuda's workers, Any poUtical leader that tries to play down this Russell, a salesman for the John Sarritt Com­ there is no doubt m my mind the UBP govem­ fact will soon have their illusions Mattered. pany. ment (which represents the reactionary monied What could have gone through the minds of She first went to school at Gilbert Insti­ class of this country) would have not only been the poUcy makers in the UBP? Did they think tute and Is now a student in Grade IV at Whit­ able to defeat the just demands of the hospital that they could prevent the Bermuda regiment ney Institute. She told us she likes disco and govemment workers for a Uving wage, but band from playii^ in the Labour Day march and dancing, swimming and reading. it would have been able to crush the trade imion stiU think tiiat they could have a separate event Dawnae would like to go into the commercial movement in Bermuda, and thereby set about that would draw the workers of this country? world as a secretary. She has visited New York rolling up aU the gains which Bermudian workers All this did was to once agdjn show how much and Boston. have won over the years, through great sacrifice this country is still very much raciaUy divided and courage. ( without violence). There Is much talk black people, will see conspicuous GOVERNMENT FEARS WORKERS of "unity" and "togetherness", but the reaUty by their absence. Black people wUl do weU not From the dockworkers strike and march on is a white population retreating firom its former to ponder on this reaUty of race relations in Front Street, that saw workers facing an armed position of power. Unable to accept that the Bermuda. For the labour movement (as part of riot squad in 1959, to the battle for Union rec­ very thing they fear (a black takeover of politi­ the black poUtical stru^e for human r^ts) ognition, symbolised by the resistance put up by cal power) is made aU the more certain by their has shown its strength. And no doubt, the Lab­ f i' workers outside BELCO in 1965 (when the pol- lack of presence in the trade union movement our Day celebration next year will be bigger and ^'^^ ice were sent to break up picket lines outside the and their non-support of a poUtical stn^^e. better. company grounds), this is the glorious tradition Though it be led by black people, it is reaUy I don't see the UBP playing a part, and even if of Bermudian workers. It is this tradition that is a nationalist movement, wliose end result wiU they do, I don't see them doii^ it with any behind the UBP govemment's refusal to have see Bermuda gaining independence, for it can­ heart. Just Uke Heritage Day, this will be reflec­ this holiday in May. not forever remain a colony of Britain. ted in tile non-participation of whites, which They think that, by putting this holiday out Even a small thing Uke a fun fair, put on by form the backbone of UBP support. in the wilderness of September, Bermudian wor­ kers will forget what happened in May, *81. In their morbid fear of the militant solidarity of the Bermudian workers, it has sUpped their minds that we have not foigotten Dr. Gordon. We have not forgotten the dockworkers strike and their march on Front Street. We have not GOODN foigotten BELCO and we wiU not forget May 1981. It wiU do no good for editors and opinion- makers in the traditional media to cry crocodile tears because the UBP govemment was not a UNION MEMBERSHIP part of tiie Labour Day celebrations. Or to take Andrew Young's speech and say he could have spoken before a UBP gathering. For, if the wor­ kers of this country had not defended their PAYS OFF...AGAIN! trade union movement, there would be no re­ distribution of wealth. It is the past actions of the UBP Govemment that have created an est­ ^ rangement between the Bermudian workers and "^ the Govemment. HOW? Even what Andrew Youi^ said about labour (employers and govemment coming together to formulate poUcies for the good of the country) Just show your BIU Membership Cards at the following is not on the minds of the controllers of Bermu­ da's poUtical economy. If they could do it, they business houses and you will receive would break the trade union movement in Ber­ muda. For they know it is more than a trade the indicated Discount! ' union movement; it is part of a poUtical move- l ment of black people to gain poUtical control of this country. LINTON SALON, Bermudiana Arcade 10% If we had solved the colonial question in Ber­ muda, then the trade union movement would be REFLECTIONS SALON, Bermudiana Hotel 10% able to play its independent role in Bermuda's MARION'S FASHIONS, Brunswick Street 10% society. But we must look at the reaUty. Bermu­ da is not yet a nation. It is a collection of stru^- HARBOURFRONT RESTAURANT, Front Street... 5% ling power blocs, ever threatening to splinter in­ to new groupings; frequencly warring with each other, to protect their own interests. PATRONISE THESE SHOPS AND SAVE! RACIST MENTALITY Hie PLP and the labour movement in Bermu­ The Workers Voice, Friday, Sept. 17,1982 5 They Started It All... Dr. Bean Thanks All Who Helped On Labour Day Dear Madam, Herewith the information you requested about the ^^ Labour Day art exhibition: ^*>^ The Committee responsible for organising the exhi­ bition was composed of Dr. Marjorie Bean, Mrs. Joan Forbes, Mrs. Madree Orridge and Mrs. Vivian Smith. Artists invited to exhibit, and whose works were in the exhibition, {Pictures and enamels}: Diana Amos, Mae Bailey, Edwin Baker, Frank Chiappa, Arthur Cooper, Sir Gilbert Cooper, Pamela Darrell (loaned by Reginald Ming), Joan Forbes, Gaye Fraser, Desmond Fountain, Ruth Masters Fountain, Dawn Fubler, Wayne Mouch- ette, Madree Orridge, Maisie Pearman, Al Seymour, Viv­ ien Smith, Gwen Robinson (loaned by Reginald Ming), Jennifer Smith (Senator), (iharles Lloyd Tucker, de­ ceased (loaned by Mrs. Tucker), Joy Bluck Walters, Her- eward Watlington, May Webbe. Photographs: Ann Smith Gordon, Scottcraft (loaned DYNAMIC DUO. The two men who were responsible for organising the workere at the U. S. Naval by Reginald Ming). Base in 1944 are shown in this photograph taken a few years ago in front of BIU Headquarters. Bro­ Pottery: Kendall Harvey. thers Gerald Brangman and Austin Wilson called the meeting which resulted in the formation of the Brasswork: Fred Raynor, deceased (loaned by Mr. F. Bermuda Workers Association and served as President and Vice President, respectively, in the eariy Basden) stages of Bermuda's first labour union. The BWA gave birth to the Bermuda Industrial Union in Also included in the exhibition was a group of paint­ 1946. The duo were among the list of honourees at the BIU Founders Banquet held recently.Unfor- ings and photographs by university students studying tunately. Brother Brangman was not present at the function. He has lived in New Jersey since 1956. abroad, courtesy of the artists and the Bermuda Society Austin Wilson still serves the BIU as a Trustee and lives in Pembroke West. of Arts, who made the exhibition at the City Hall Gall­ ery in August. The exhibition also featured a collection of the wood sculptures of La Garmo (Charles Forbes). During the Young Addresses Founders Banquet show, the sculptor demonstrated his process of prepar­ ation of the raw wood used in sculpturing. (Continued from page 4) are creating death and destruction. And on of the things I think about both Bermuda and At­ Artists who were present at various times during the black. He gave me the keys to his car and said. lanta is that, for a variety of reasons, mainly be­ day and who helped hang the pictures were: Gloria Jack­ "Will you take care of this for me?" cause of the blessings we have received, we have son, Joan Forbes, Vivian Smith, Mae Bailey, Maisie Pear­ And only yesterday, in front of the Bermud­ an opportunity to really solve these problems man, Frank Chiappa, Joy Bluck Walters and Edwin iana, as my brother vraited for a taxi, to go for ourselves and for aU humankind. Baker. downtown to meet with his lawyers, the taxi- For you have no place to go. The ocean keeps In addition to thanks to the participating artists, driver, who happened to be white, refiised to you together. And ultimately, as you look ar­ thanks must be extended to the Corporation of Hamil­ pick lUm up. ound and travel to other places, there is enough ton, for the loan of potted palms, and to Messrs. Kim ^^ No matter how successful you are, there are of a life style here, that you wiU always come Tucker and Gladwyn Simmons, representing the organ­ always these reminders. And it's not just in the back. And, while you may complain about the ising committee, for their help, and to other volonteers, United States and Bermuda. Racism is world­ way things are, you're probably just Uke we are names unknown who helped erect the barriers on which wide. in Atlanta — tiiere isn't any other place you'd the pictures were hung. In London, coming out of one of the fabu­ rather be. Ali of the Committee were most pleased with the re­ lous hotels of London. Because I'm only there So we might just as well make up our minds sponse of the artists and the appreciation of the crowds one day, I'm going to bring down my laundry that we are going to make this as much Uke the who viewed the exhibition. and the bell captain says, "Yessir, Mr. Ambassa­ Kingdom of God as we can. I even say my pra­ Mr. Ottiwell Simmons has asked me to convey his dor, if you get it to me by 9 o'clock, rU have it yers that way nowadays. "Our Father which art personal thanks to all artists. back in your room by 3 o'clock in the after­ in Heaven, haUowed be Thy Name. Thy King- Yours sincerely, noon." And a wonderflil Uttie Japanese gentle­ dom come. Thy Will be done in Atianta, even MARJORIE L.BEAN man tells me, "Oh, excuse me, but I have some as it is in Heaven'*! I suggest this is a relevant laundry too"! prayer for Bermuda as well. For this is NOT the The thing is, aU over the world, no matter Kingdom. And, however much we enjoy the sun- how successful you are, until ALL of us are siane and the prosperity that most of us now free, the highest and most important of us are enjoy, there are stiU problems and we should yet enslaved. And that is the reason for the kind not shirk them . of concem, about the problems of class, race We should see that, as we perfect the society and creed, that mean that there is no place on in which we Uve, we do make it possible for this earth where those phenomena do not af­ other peoples on the face of the earth to be­ fect the course of human events. Ueve that it is possible for people who come We are rightiy upset and must insist that firom differing racial, reUgious and cultural back­ ^artheid in South A&ica be put to an end. But grounds, to Uve together in peace and harmony it's also equally disturbing, and sometimes more and equal opportunity and prosperity for all. so, for me, when I see Liberians discrimmatii^ And not just for aU MEN —men and women! against other Liberians. And the vdiole business One of the things you're going to ^d, as the of the disturbance in that country, the fact of educational level in television begins to have the coup d'etat, was essentially that those Lib­ mpre and more impact, you're going to find erians who came back firom America as ex- there 11 be a children's rights movement, if they glaves, discriminated against those Africans who have not claimed all their rights already. Labour Day Bermuda. had never been slaves, and created their own We do have a lot going for us and I think that kind of racial compartmentalism that the world the Scripture that , "to them much has been could not tolerate. And that they, themselves, given, of them wiU much be required", is parti­ sweating over the independence of Zimbabwe, could not tolerate. cularly f^ipUcable to those of us in places of and tryii:^ desperately to put together a pac>^ In Jim>an, you have problems with the Kor­ relative prosperity like Bermuda and Atianta. age that Britain would support;, that would ei^^ eans. In Germany, it's Turkish workers. Gvery- MORAL RESPONSIBILITY able majority rule to become a reality and the vrtioe. In Sweden, someone said to me, "We I think what happens here DOES have an im­ civil war to cease, it took a meeting of the Com­ don't have racial problems in Sweden." I said, pact on Puerto Rico, on Haiti, on Jamaica, on monwealth (ministers) in Zambia. For Kenneth **O.K. Fine. But what about the Norwegians?" Trinidad, on the entire Caribbean. It DOES have Kaimda, Michael Manly and Fraser of Australia Iliey said, "Oh no. They're a different kind of an impact on the Commonwealtii of Nations. to sit with Margaret Thatcher and begiu to have pe<^le altogether!" That connection is not to be taken too l^t- her understand what was reaUy and truly itap- HEAVEN ON EARTH ly. For, regardless of your status in that Com­ pening in Zimbabwe). Almost anywhere in the woild, there are pro­ monwealth, that is an institution that has en­ So, whatever we have that we can work with, blems of race, creed, class and colour, that are abled peoples of differii^ colours and back­ I think it's important for us to find a way to use dividing people; that are aUenating people; that grounds to somehow find solutions to their pro­ those resources for tiie benefit of us all, throuf^ blems. out the wocld. 6 The Workers Voice, Friday, Sept. 17,1982 (I wUl never forget that, after slaving and (TO BE CONTINUED) Whate Wins Hotel Award Management at the Bermudiana fiotei In Ham­ ilton has started a monthly award scheme, for workers who, in the opinion of management, have excelled in "hospitality and service" to the guests. 1^ The scheme, started three months' ago, has ^^Jfl^isady seen two workers receive the award, along with a $50 bonus cheque. The first awar- dee was Sister Gladys Ingham, who is a dining room captain at the hotel. The second monthly award went to Sister Jennifer Darrell, waitress in Ua Fontaine and in the night club. This month, the award winner is Sister Anne Whate (who told us about the scheme). She has worked as a waitress in the dining room since 1960. She told us that heads of the various de­ partments put forward the names of workers FRIENDS FOR MISSIONS. Pictured are four ot the six Bermudians who went to Haiti last they felt were worthy of the award. Then top month to visit the children they sponsor. Shown are Ethel Godwin, Melvin and Marcia Outer- management makes the final selection. bridge and Glenda Darrell. Ethel and Glenda, along with Delores Glasford and Elvina Moniz, Workers Voice congratulates our award win­ are among the BIU staff members who sponsor children in poverty-stricken Haiti. ners. It is good to see that management of at least one hotel is prepared to recognise the im­ portance of the contribution made by the many workers in our hotels and cottage colonies. LOCAL 'FRIENDS FOR MISSIONS' SPONSOR CHILDREN IN HAITI Melvin and Marcia Outerbridge have organ­ ised a group called Bermuda Friends for Missions, whose aim is to sponsor and aid children of Haiti. Since its inception in March this year, the group has acquired over 150 members. Marcia explained to Workers Voice that any­ one can sponsor as many children as they wish. The fee per child depends on the age of the child sponsored. Fees range from $6 to $11 per month per child. If any person does not wish to sponsor on a regglar basis, they may donate a sum towards food and medicine. On August 31 this year, a group of six Ber­ mudian sponsors left on a trip to Haiti, in or­ der to observe, at first hand, the plight of many thousands of children in the island of Haiti. The tour was under the direction and guidance of Mrs. May Goodwin, who is an executive dir­ ector of Friends for Missions, with headquar­ ters in Atlanta, Georgia. Several members of the staff at BIU head­ quarters went on the trip and they told Wor­ kers Voice that they were moved to tears by the condition of the children they saw. Any readers who are interested in learning ,„„^.. ,,.„ -„.,-..„ .. . ^ _L-^ ANN WHATE: Award Winner at Bermudiana more about this Mission may contact Marcia MARCIA AND FRIEND. Marcia Outerbridge. or Melvin Outerbridge, telephone 50952, or President of the local chapter of Friends for the treasurer of the Mission, Mrs. Audrey Flood, Missions, is pictured with a young Haitian, telephone 82748. ^^^'^ Dorec, who is sponsored by a Bermudian.

^^Ji^.

^;

AFL-CIO RESEARCH DIRECTOR VISITS. Brother Rudy Oswald, the research director for the "^MSmk American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), paid a brief visit to CO OPERATION Bermuda recently and dropped in at BIU Headquarters to meet with union officials. He is shown >i £e^r t/?an CONFLICT here discussing research matters with Dr. Barbara Ball, Research Officer of the BIU. The Workers Voice, Friday, Sept. 17,1982 7

-^i,^..^^ THE 'ROOT' MARCHERS Letters to the Editor Dear Madam, Once more those pro liars have outdone themselves. Where is all that harmony John Swan is talking about? We don't have to wait until Sunday morning to find out how racist Bermuda is. Jack Tucker said that Ber­ muda needed John Swan. Like it needs polio! What kind of black man would a white supremaci,-- choose to be premier? They have set out to call God a liar. For He said, "If any man says he loves God and hates his brother, he is a liar. Be ye not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man soweth, that shall he reap." Only a damn fool would plan corn and look for beets! John Swan can giggle and shake hands until Hell freezes over, and he will have done nothing! He says he was snubbed. That is not true. At least the Ku Klux Klan are honest. They don't want any part of blacks. South Africa doesn't want any part of us. But white Bermuda will use all the house servants they can get their hands on, to keep their position of . Look at the money they are spending to build up their image. They can go to or the United States for help. But all their roads lead to hell and destruction. For God said, "No unclean thing shall enter Heaven". They are putting on another snow job to fool Bermu­ dians. I ask John David and those two Jacks, who is fooling who? In Jamaica, they would not even be elec­ ted dogcatcher. The black children of Bermuda must be told of Dr. E.F. Gordon, Leonard Bascome, William Paynter and many others. Don't let independence come and they spring John Swan on us as a national hero. What has he done, be­ sides count his dollars? Dr. E. A. Cann and W. L. Tucker were honest men. If they were like the shifty ones, they would be run­ ning around today. For it has been said, "The good die first." The weeds always outlast the plant And the weeds choke the plant to death!. Anthony Bur*

HOTEL DIVISION ELECTS OFFICERS " Members of the Hotel, Nightclub and Restaur­ ant Division of the BIU met Tuesday afternoon and elected the officers who will serve that div­ ision for the next two years. They are: Brother Kenneth Pilgrim (President), Sisters Yvonne Broadbelt (Vice President), Carolyn Franklin ^ (Secretary), Vernett Pitcher (Asst. Secretary). Members of the committee include Sisters Olive Hewey, Darlene Adams, Muriel Simmons, Marilyn Butterfield, Melba Smith, Mary Trott, Clarabelle White; Brothers Mike Fields, Delano Bulford, Francis Fox, Sylvester Hill, Gregory Belboda and Charles Richardson.

8 The WorKers Voice, Friday, Sept. 17,1982

Iw ^ti£^ . -J