The message to Bermudians on Labour Day 2012 was to “put their shoulders to the wheel, stand firm and stand strong to confront the challenges” that lie ahead.In these difficult economic times, Premier Paula Cox urged trade unionists and members of Bermuda's workforce to push through the global financial crisis together.She was the first to address the small gathering on Union Square during the pre-march rally. “I want to publicly thank Government Ministers, Members of Parliament across the board of all political stripes,” said Ms Cox. “I'm thanking them for taking a pay cut of five percent and leading by example and being trailblazers; and this was done by us as of April 1 this year. We're now in a most unusual situation and what it requires is that everybody has to put their shoulders to the wheel and continue to stand firm, stand strong, and work despite the challenges.”She also praised Bermuda's “unsung heroes”, the people she described as the “hardworking men and women that keep Bermuda moving forward”.“On this Labour Day remember the struggles of the past, the dockworkers strike, the Belco strike, the struggle against institutionalised discrimination and that fight continues.“These struggles didn't happen hundreds of years ago, they happened during our time, our parents time and our grand parents time; and we're living in difficult times.“As we continue to soldier on and to soldier together, one has to remember the importance of standing strong and continuing to stand strong for Bermuda and Bermudians.“Labour Day is a time to reflect on our core objectives of the labour movement here in Bermuda and around the world. Harmonious labour relations are absolutely vital to our economic well-being and political stability,” said Ms Cox.Opposition leader Craig Cannonier urged those in attendance to “remember that during these challenging times we are our brother's keeper”.“We celebrate this day to show our support to many who don't have jobs today and who want to work. We celebrate this day to remember as did our grand parents that this celebration we must remember that during these challenging times we are brothers keeper.“Let us not forget that the best social programme and the best economic programme is a job,” said Mr Cannonier. “The preservation of the job we have today and the creation of new jobs is packaged in remembering this one important thing — that 'I am my brothers keeper',” he said.Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Patrice Minors acknowledged Bermudians who have lost their homes due to the recessionary climate.She also paid tribute to those who have lost loved ones due to gun violence.In a year marked by challenges she said: “We have seen many of our brothers and sisters struggle to stay employed, struggle to get employed, struggle to keep their children away from the gang element; all the while struggling to make ends meet.“Some of you have lost homes, some have heartbreakingly lost their sons, the list goes on and on,” said Ms Minors. “But I'm not here standing today to talk of dark times, but to talk to you about the progress that is being made.The Minister recounted how while canvassing from “home to home” she was “humbled” that despite the struggles being faced by constituents, there is a sense of “resilience and determination to succeed despite the challenges”.“It is our understanding for your struggle and our respect for your determination that drives us to work hard despite the criticism that often creeps upon us,” said Ms Minors. “We know that the last few years haven't been easy.“People all over world are hurting during these tough times, during this tough global economic recession, and I know that things haven't been perfect in Bermuda.“There's more work that needs to be done but I can tell you as always you can count on us the Progressive Labour Party Government to stand strong for Bermuda and Bermudians.”And in what sounded like pre-election mode canvassing, she said: “We stood strong for Bermudians by passing the landmark FutureCare legislation that ensures that after a long time of hard work all Bermudians can have access to high quality healthcare and affordable prescription drugs.“We stood strong for Bermudians by keeping Bermudians working through investments and infrastructure like the Lambe-Foggo Clinic, the Dame Lois Browne-Evans building, the development of Southside and much more.“We stood strong by introducing training initiatives like the drywall programme and the nail technician programme which is helping to enhance career opportunities. And we stood strong by protecting civil service jobs during this economic downturn,” she said.Trade unionists who addressed the crowd included Wendell (Shine) Hayward of the Trade Union Congress of Bermuda, Bermuda Union of Teachers secretary Mike Charles, and Bermuda Public Services Union President Kevin Grant.Mr Hayward said: “This year is historical year for trade unionism in Bermuda in that the Bermuda Industrial Union joined the Bermuda Trade Union Congress, thus making every trade union on the Island a member of the TUC.”Kim Swan was acknowledged as the former leader of the United Bermuda Party.In his brief remarks, he paid tribute to former UBP Labour Minister Quinton Edness, Maxwell Burgess and the late John Irving Pearman.In a statement released to the media after the rally, he also paid tribute to former BIU President and PLP MP Ottiwell Simmons, and several executive members, both past and present of the BIU.“Lest We Forget that four years ago it was the BIU that were among the first to lead by example in Bermuda by accepting a wage freeze, an agreement between the Bermuda Hotel Association and the workers of represented by the BIU,” said Mr Swan. “While we salute the efforts of our labour forefathers we recognise that 'Labour' continues to remain necessary in 2012.”* This story has been edited to correct an incorrect statement that the civil service has taken a pay cut. The pay cut is yet to be implemented.