answers as you ask questions.

For some, it's the last public holiday of the summer, for others it's a harbinger of the start of school. Even the thousands who attend the Labour Day rally at a Bernard Park may think it is nothing more than a bunch of speeches, entertainment and food.

But its true meaning is that it is a day set aside to reflect on where the labour movement and trade unions have been -- and where they are going.

It is also a day in which one can pay respect to the older members who fought to get the benefits today's workers enjoy.

Bermuda Industrial Union president Derrick Burgess and Bermuda Public Service Association president Leleath Bailey reflected this week on how far their unions have come and whether or not Labour Day is in vain.

Mr. Burgess said he thinks workers have come a long way but "we have to be careful and cautious because we have forces out there who are trying to take us even further back than where we came from''.

"It is very important today, more than ever, that workers come together by joining the union so they can protect the things that we have gained over the years.'' He added: "Look at all the benefits that we have today that people take for granted. None of this was given to us. Unions have fought hard to secure vacations, maternity, sick, public holiday pay, compassionate leave, and pensions and without the unions, workers, I would venture to say, workers would not have gotten those benefits.

"I think that is why I know Labour Day is not in vain because we have got to reflect on where we come from, to where we are, and we must map out a plan to where we should be going.

"Labour Day is significant because it is an appreciation of what unions and the older folks in the unions have done for the present day workers and I think the present day workers should show their appreciation by coming out and supporting the Labour Day activities put on by the unions.'' Ms Bailey said trade unionism in Bermuda has always been a "chameleon''.

"Because of Bermuda's historic, booming economy, employers have enjoyed profits but have been reluctant to share the profits with employees.

"As the world economy becomes more competitive, and customers enjoy a wide choice of services and options, many employers have not embraced new business initiatives such as training, succession planning, and reorganising/restructuring efforts in order to remain competitive.'' She added: "One ongoing concern for the lack of training has been cost.

Whether a case can be made for the latter, the employers' intransigence only confirms the point that companies which remain non-competitive will eventually go out of business.

"The Bermuda Public Services Association believes that as a business of human capital (workers), it is critical that we remain vigilant and knowledgeable about labour markets, changing trends in global economics and methods of training and succession planning.

"No business can remain vibrant unless it invests in its employees' development. To this end, the BPSA has worked diligently with the employing agencies in forging labour-management partnerships and initiatives for new and improved concepts of efficiency and productivity.'' Ms Bailey admitted there have been occasions when the employer and the Association have agreed to disagree, but at the end of the day, the matter has been resolved amicably or by third party intervention.

She added that the BPSA's mandate is to work with employers to retain employment for the workers, and to also ensure that companies remain competitive and profitable.

"To achieve this objective and to remain competitive to service its membership, the BPSA continues to keep abreast with world labour trends.

"Wage scales, benefits, training initiatives and other human-relationship concepts adopted by the private sector have been directly influenced by the efforts of the trade unions,'' Mrs. Bailey added.

Labour Day is on Monday, September 1 and there will be a march, starting at approximately 11 a.m., from BIU headquarters through Hamilton. The march will conclude in Bernard Park where there will be speeches, entertainment, raffles, and plenty of food and fun.

STILL A LONG WAY TO GO -- BIU president Derrick Burgess and BPSA president Leleath Bailey.