Chris Furbert, the firebrand leader of the Bermuda Industrial Union, is set to step down from his role within the organisation when his present term concludes.

An uncompromising, blunt-speaking union president, Mr Furbert led the BIU through momentous industrial action and political change.

Although historically closely aligned with the Progressive Labour Party, the BIU under Mr Furbert did not back down from challenging the Government — recently with the 2020 change to labour relations law, decertification, which allowed all workers in a bargaining unit, including non-union staff, to get a vote on union representation.

It brought the BIU to an open standoff with the Government, including public protests and a threat in 2021 that the PLP administration risked losing the crucial support of the labour vote to remain in power.

Mr Furbert also repeatedly challenged the One Bermuda Alliance government, notably in 2016 over immigration reform and the redevelopment of LF Wade International Airport, when he and other BIU leaders joined protests that included blocking legislators from entering Parliament.

Speaking to a sold-out Harbourview Ballroom at the Hamilton Princess during the 41st annual Labour Day Banquet, which also marked the 80th anniversary of the BIU, Mr Furbert said it was his intention to retire in March 2028, after serving 22 years as president.

Mr Furbert, who was elected in March 2006 when he succeeded Derrick Burgess at the helm, said: “I’ve served through our 60th anniversary, our 65th, our 70th, our 75th and now our 80th anniversary.

“This organisation means a lot to me. It’s been my life.”

Mr Furbert said he had “served those other years unchallenged”, but would call it a day in 2028, adding: “I’m going. I’m retiring.”

The announcement caps a life in trade unionism extending back to the early 1970s.

Mr Furbert’s involvement in the union movement began in 1971 when, at the age of 18, he became the third generation of his family to go to work for Stevedoring Services at the Hamilton docks.

Mr Furbert, who is 73, served as president of the BIU port workers’ division from 1981, the year of an historic general strike, to 1995.

In 1996, Mr Furbert almost became president of the BIU — with Mr Burgess winning leadership by a handful of votes.

Mr Furbert acknowledged his reputation as a union radical when he took the presidency of the union, but said at the time: “People make it sound like I have made decisions without thought. I think that the time that I spent as president of the port workers’ division, the membership supported me and felt that I made the right decisions.”

In a later interview with The Royal Gazette, he said: “If you’re dealing with employers, you need to be a bit radical and to make decisions to get their attention.”

Mr Furbert also acknowledged his ambitions to lead, recalling: “When we were having seminars at the union back in the 70s, the last question on the evaluation sheet asked, ‘What’s your ambition?’

“I said mine was to be the president of the BIU one day.”

Last night, the union leader received a special presentation from his daughters and from David Burt, the Premier.

He told the gathering: “I want to thank those of you who put the presentation together and those of you who sent tributes into the programme. Can I just say a big thank you to all.”

The night came with speeches from Mr Furbert, as well as politicians and business leaders.

Additionally, the crowd heard from Shyne Barrow, Grammy Award-winning artist and Belizean politician, who was the keynote speaker.

In his Labour Day Message, printed inside the programme, Mr Furbert said: “This Labour Day holds special significance for me. Over our 80-year history, only seven presidents have led this organisation.

“I am particularly humbled to share a unique distinction with Brother Ottiwell Simmons, who served as president for 22 years, from 1974 to 1996.

“When my present term concludes in March 2028, I too will have served for 22 years. Together, our service will represent 44 years of leadership in the life of this great union; a testament to the strength and continuity of the BIU.

“As I reflect on my 20 years of service thus far, I remain deeply grateful to the membership for entrusting me with five terms of leadership and for the confidence and support you have shown me throughout this journey.”

He added: “As we mark 80 years, we honour those who came before us not simply by remembering what they achieved, but by carrying their work forward.

“Our responsibility is to leave the next generation a union as strong, courageous, progressive, relevant and determined as the one entrusted to us.”