IAM Union members and their supporters gathered outside Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s State of the Territory address in the U.S. Virgin Islands to call for overdue contracts and wage increases for security officers at local hospitals and clinics. The demonstration focused on about 40 security officers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), who have not had a collective bargaining agreement or general wage increases since 2021.
Union leaders attribute this situation to what they describe as failures by the Virgin Islands government, specifically naming the Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) and the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), which they say have not fulfilled their legal responsibilities regarding negotiations.
“Our union will always stand shoulder to shoulder with workers who are demanding the respect they have earned,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “These essential security officers have shown patience and professionalism for years. It’s past time for the Virgin Islands government to negotiate in good faith and deliver the contracts these workers deserve.”
The protest comes amid rising living costs in the territory, with security officers continuing to work under challenging conditions without new agreements or pay adjustments.
“The message from our members and the community is simple: enough is enough,” said IAM Southern Territory Special Representative John Vigueras. “The governor and the legislature must fix the OCB and PERB, honor the law, respect collective bargaining rights, and deliver fair contracts and raises to the essential workers who keep our islands safe and running. This public action was about accountability and making sure these workers are no longer ignored.”
Other unions joined in support, highlighting wider concerns over labor relations across the territory. For more details on related protests, see St. Thomas Source’s coverage at https://stthomassource.com/content/2024/01/29/labor-unions-protest-outside-state-of-the-territory/, as well as reporting from Virgin Islands Daily News at https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/protestors-call-on-bryan-administration-to-fix-schools-negotiate-union-contracts/article_5d9e0b2a-20b6-11ef-a8e3-8f24e84b7bbd.html.
