Last week, the nation woke up to industrial action by members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) which is led by Obie Ferguson KC. This comes after months of threats from several labor unions in the country as they lamented unfulfilled promises, outstanding issues and grievances. It had been subsequently announced that several unions were in possession of strike certificates and could embark on strikes at any moment. The TUC went through with its threat of action as it called for a nationwide strike.
While the scale of the TUC’s strike, sick out, mental health or rest day was not as broad as anticipated, the impact was significant as ninety percent of junior doctors called in, sixty percent of senior doctors called in, children in public schools in Grand Bahama were sent home and two schools were forced to close in New Providence. In response, the Davis administration obtained a meaningless injunction with the threat of imprisonment contained therein after the industrial action had concluded. In the end, the industrial action made national news as it should but it was the revelation about the current state of unions in The Bahamas in 2025 that is even more telling.
Is the solidarity forever?
“Solidarity Forever”, written by Ralph Chaplin in 1915, is regarded by many as the most famous union anthem in the world. It is not unusual to hear union leaders and members sing this legendary song during demonstrations or parades as they fight for the rights of workers. However, in an article entitled ‘Why I wrote Solidarity Forever’, Chaplin expressed his displeasure at the widespread popularity of the song among politicians and within the labor movement.
Chaplin was concerned about what he deemed as a deviation from the true essence of the lyrics of this piece. The erosion of the unity and oneness of diverse individuals in pursuit of a common purpose that centered on the struggle for better working conditions for workers goes against the spirit of solidarity upon which the labor movement was founded. A union without unity will struggle to have solidarity.
Journey of labor in The Bahamas
The journey of the labor movement was one filled with challenges, tears, scars and triumphs which today’s workers must not fail to reflect upon. There is no doubt that the trade union movement has played and continues to play a pivotal role in improving the quality of life for Bahamian workers. The history books ably document this notion, from the Burma Road riots to the General Strike and the election of the late Sir Randol Fawkes in the 1967 general elections, which led to the first coalition government and ushered in Majority Rule.
The true leaders and fighters of this movement all shared a common passion for the wellbeing of all workers and held deep-rooted convictions that were not deterred by politics or self-interest. These unique qualities distinguished the leaders of the labor movement of yesteryear from their contemporaries and secured their place in the history books of our Commonwealth. Their followers could feel the genuine dedication to the cause of the average worker and rewarded them with their loyalty and support. Current leaders in this never-ending movement can draw inspiration and motivation from their predecessors upon whose shoulders they stand.
The infamous MOU
In the lead up to the last general election, a number of prominent trade union leaders entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PLP which was in opposition at the time. This move divided the labor movement and drew much criticism from both workers and Bahamians at large. It was clear that the Opposition PLP at the time used this act in a bid to garner the votes of trade unions and their members even though the PLP still only managed to secure 34% of registered voters in the 2021 general election.
The Minister of Labor rightly described the executed document as “the infamous MOU” during an appearance on a television talk show last week. While that may not have been her intention, the Minister was correct in her assessment of that MOU. The proverbial chickens have now come home to roost. As news of an impending national strike spread on social media, Prime Minister Davis was also trending for the wrong reasons. Photos of the nation’s leader at an extravagant party having a good time was circulating on social media. The optics and timing could not have been worse for an increasingly unpopular prime minister who is seen by most Bahamians as tone deaf and out of touch with the plight of the masses.
Contamination of the labor movement
In pursuing personal interests over the overall good and integrity of the labor movement, select union leaders have sold their birthright for a bowl of porridge while weakening their negotiating positions with the PLP administration. A number of union personalities have been compromised due to their pursuit of personal favors, special contracts, government appointments, consulting contracts and nominations from political parties. While labor leaders have a lot to contribute to national development, their appointments ought to be based on meritocracy and must not be to the detriment of the advancement of workers’ rights. Individuals that have adopted an “all for me baby” mantra and prioritized themselves over the workers they are supposed to represent have no place in the labor movement.
The contamination of the movement and the division within was apparent; news of the planned strike was hardly in the public domain when other union leaders came out to distance themselves from Ferguson and the TUC’s pronouncements. Simultaneously, photos of two opposing union leaders in PLP paraphernalia were being shared across social media platforms. However, there were union leaders who stood on principle to oppose the signing of the infamous MOU and had cautioned against such an alliance with a political party; this group would have felt a sense of vindication for their stance. And then, there were those unions who stood on business and demanded what was rightfully theirs.
The future of the union
Looking forward at the future of the labor movement, the last stanza of the Solidarity Forever song is instructive.
“In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies, multiplied a thousand-fold.
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong.”
This writer contends that the great power in the hands of the movement is only as strong as the cord that binds its members together in unity. Union leaders must always remember that they derive their power from the people in general and workers in particular. After all, a leader who has no one following him/her is only taking a stroll or walk.
Chaplin said it best when he surmised in his article “Why I wrote Solidarity Forever” that: “I contend also that when the labor movement ceases to be a cause and becomes a business, the end product can hardly be called progress.” In this regard, the achievement of progress by the labor movement in years to come will be determined by what causes their leaders stand for and to whom they owe their allegiance. This is indeed the type of union that makes us strong; a union of brotherhood and sisterhood towards a common loftier goal bigger than ourselves.
Written by: Arinthia S. Komolafe
