THE new president of the Bermuda Industrial Union, Chris Furbert, is about as good a role model as can be found anywhere of an ambitious person setting a goal early in life and working conscientiously towards achieving it.

It is no mean feat being president of Bermuda's most powerful union, and one of the most influential in the trade union sphere, embracing the Caribbean and Americas.

In his acceptance speech after being elected a week ago, he confessed unabashedly: "This is a dream come true. My ambition to become president of the BIU started back in the early 1970s, and I am humbled that my dream has come true. Thank you!"

Not only did he dream of becoming president, he declared he prepared himself for the position. Among other things, he completed several leadership courses at the George Meany Centre for Labour Studies in Silver Springs, Maryland, and at the University of the West Indies, as well as at other labour training institutions.

Furbert also admitted that his own personal growth and development as a trade unionist had been influenced by his immediate predecessors in the top office, Ottiwell Simmons and Derrick Burgess, as well as such top line officers as Helena (Molly) Burgess, Dr. Barbara Ball, Robert Johnston, Vincent Minors and Calvert and Alfred Bean.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the new president made it crystal clear: "I am not Bro. Derrick nor will I try to be."

As we reported a week ago, Chris Furbert was only aged 18 when he joined the union in 1971. He was a third-generation longshoreman. The longshoremen comprised the BIU's most militant division.

Furbert's grandfather, Nunny Robinson, earned his livelihood on the waterfront; and so did Nunny's son, Reginald Robinson. It was Reginald who got Chris his first job on the waterfront, and he put him through his paces well.

Chris developed into a militant, just like some of the other boys on the waterfront. Within 18 months he had become assistant secretary of his division and soon began his 18-year tenure as president of the Port Workers' Division, as the longshoremen became known, followed by ten years as the executive vice-president of Derrick Burgess.

Furbert told delegates at the last week's Quadrennial Conference, that in his 35 years' experience in the BIU, he had learned a good deal, but there was still much to learn.

"We must breathe some new life into the BIU, and I sincerely believe that we can and will."

He appealed to his brothers and sisters for their support, engendering harmony and togetherness, commitment, involvement, honesty, strength and unity."

FURBERT invited this writer into his office yesterday, as we talked about how he was coping as the big chief. He disported himself behind his big desk (above right)as a suave, pencil pushing diplomat he sometimes appears to be.

But we know, that is only one of his real faces. Another is seen in this historic photo (left) culled from the 334-page book I wrote, The History of the Bermuda Industrial Union, with two presidents and other front-line unionists on a march for workers' rights.

From the left are George Baisden, Education Officer Collin Simmons, Chris Furbert (now president), Helena (Molly) Burgess, returned as general secretary for another year as the second most powerful officer in the BIU; ex-president Ottiwell Simmons, Herbie Bascome; immediate past president Derrick Burgess in cap; and PLP Assemblyman George Scott, the union's chief organiser.