Today, on May 1, International Workers’ Day, the Bermuda Public Services Union proudly stands in solidarity with workers across the globe. This is a day of reflection, unity and renewed commitment to the principles of justice, dignity and equity for all who contribute their labour to build and sustain our societies.

Workers are the lifeblood of any nation. It is through the tireless efforts of everyday people that our communities thrive — from healthcare workers who care for our sick, to educators shaping future generations, to public officers ensuring that our government functions efficiently and fairly. Every sector, every job, every hand contributes to the strength and resilience of Bermuda.

As we commemorate this important day, the BPSU acknowledges the historical and ongoing power of the trade union movement — locally and internationally. For more than a century, trade unions have served as the voice of the voiceless, the shield against exploitation, and the engine driving positive social change. From the eight-hour working day to safe workplaces and paid leave, the benefits that many now consider standard were hard-fought and won by organised labour.

In Bermuda, the BPSU has been a pillar of advocacy and progress for more than 70 years. We are proud of our legacy, but we remain steadfast in our resolve: the fight for workers’ rights is far from over. Today, more than ever, we must be unapologetic in defending, expanding and protecting the hard-won rights of workers. This is not only our responsibility; it is our mandate.

We are living in a time of immense transition. The world of work is rapidly evolving. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and automation are reshaping how jobs are performed, how value is created, and how people are employed.

While these changes offer opportunities for innovation and growth, they also raise serious questions about job security, wage equity, data privacy and the future of human labour.

In acknowledging this year’s International Workers’ Day, the International Trade Union Confederation emphasises the need to safeguard workers’ lives and rights in the age of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. According to the ITUC, AI-driven management is intensifying pressure on 427 million workers worldwide, with an estimated 80 per cent of large employers using AI to track individual work productivity. This has reportedly resulted in workers experiencing burnout, injuries and stress owing to non-stop monitoring.

Here in Bermuda, workers are also grappling with a range of pressing issues:

• The rising cost of living continues to erode real wages and impact quality of life

• Access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare remains a critical concern for many families

• Mental wellness, exacerbated by economic pressures and shifting work environments, must be prioritised with appropriate resources and support systems

In the face of these challenges, the role of the BPSU has never been more essential. We affirm our unwavering commitment to not only our members, but to all workers in Bermuda. The executive committee and general council of the BPSU are united in their mission to actively advocate, negotiate and educate, with a view to improving conditions and strengthening protections for workers in every sector.

We believe in building a Bermuda where no worker is left behind — where decent work, fair pay and humane working conditions are non-negotiable. We will continue to push for policies that address economic disparity, ensure fair access to healthcare, and embrace mental wellness as an essential component of a healthy workforce.

We also call on employers, the Government and all stakeholders to engage meaningfully with unions and labour organisations as partners in progress. Workers are not simply resources to be managed; they are people with dignity, families, dreams and aspirations. Their voices deserve to be heard in every conversation about the future of work.

To our brothers and sisters in the global labour movement, we extend our solidarity. To our members and fellow workers in Bermuda, we honour your contributions and pledge to remain relentless in our pursuit of fairness, respect and justice.

Let May 1 remind us not only of how far we’ve come, but how far we must still go. Together, organised and mobilised, we will meet the challenges ahead — and we will overcome them.

• Kevin Grant is the general secretary of the Bermuda Public Services Union