A former soldier highlighted how Bermuda “changed fundamentally” after the largest labour dispute in its history.

Wendell Hollis, a former captain in the Royal Bermuda Regiment, recalled when he and other soldiers were stationed on Front Street in Hamilton during the 1981 General Strike.

The strike began in April that year when hundreds of government and hotel employees walked off the job demanding a pay rise.

It ended on May 7, when the Bermuda Industrial Union won wage increases with an average of 20 per cent after negotiations with the United Bermuda Party government.

Mr Hollis said: “We were located at No 1 Shed, a full company of soldiers in full riot gear standing by to deal with the situation, should it arise.

“At the same time, we kept our finger on the pulse of Bermuda and before the march started, we became fairly confident that it would be peaceful.”

He said soldiers’ support of protesters walking by caused Bermuda to take “the biggest sigh of relief ever”.

He explained: “Bermuda changed fundamentally that afternoon — never again was there industrial violence, never again was there a riot that had to be cooled down, never again has RBR had to stand between the people of Bermuda and the Government.”

Mr Hollis added: “The Government of the day had misread the feelings and misunderstood the people of Bermuda, but by the end of the two-week period, they had to reassess the situation.”

Former unionists Victor Fishington and Glenn Fubler, Imam Saleem Talbot and others joined Mr Hollis at Victoria Park on International Workers Day to discuss the occasion.

Mr Fishington was president of the telephone workers’ division of the BIU during the strike, but they and all other essential workers were not permitted to participate.

He explained: “We decided to meet right here in Victoria Park and to maintain our essential service.

“We advised management at Bermuda Telephone Company that we would have people in respective areas available for emergency measures.”

Mr Fishington added: “As the strike advanced around Bermuda, many workers left their offices.

“Some were not under union contract, but they recognised the significant importance of trying to get Bermuda to solve its problems — it was a great day.”

Mr Talbot highlighted the importance of solidarity in making change.

He explained: “Whether you’re from Australia, Tanzania, South Africa or Bermuda, you have a chance to get to know each other and you can problem-solve.

“Whether it’s a racial, social, economic or religious problem or misunderstanding, we have the opportunity to actually get these problems and solve them if we’re sincere and actually committed to having an equitable society.”

Michael Nisbett, whose father, Reverend Canon Thomas Nisbett, helped to organise the protest, also highlighted the power of unity, saying: “When we listen to understand, we can come together and be able to solve various issues we are confronted with.”

Mr Fubler, another participant in the strike, told the gathering: “There were some challenging times, because people came out of their boxes and were able to bring about and effect the change.

“We look back at these aspects of our history not to be romantic about it, but to let the current generation know where they can be going in the future.”

Today’s attendees and others, including Alex Scott, the former premier, Joan Dillas-Wright, the President of the Senate, and Ellen-Kate Horton, former president of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, signed a joint statement calling for a spirit of solidarity.