The Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) has observed a significant increase in employees seeking to join the union anonymously, citing fears of victimization if their union affiliation is revealed. This trend was disclosed by BWU General Secretary Toni Moore during a speech at the Frank Walcott Labour College, following a tour of 12 companies as part of the union’s 84th anniversary celebrations. Moore highlighted that some employers are resorting to intimidation tactics to undermine union representation, with a recent case at a hardware store exemplifying such behavior. In this instance, management allegedly pressured workers to abandon the union, promising benefits in return. Moore condemned these actions as union-busting, noting that the employer further attempted to divide workers by offering wage increases only to those believed to be non-unionized. Despite these challenges, the BWU has seen a notable rise in membership through discreet payment methods, such as First Pay and direct bank transfers, allowing workers to keep their union affiliation private. Moore emphasized that even shop stewards are often unaware of the true extent of union membership within their workplaces, as many workers choose to join anonymously. The union has identified wages, lack of upward mobility, unpredictable schedules, and health and safety concerns as key issues affecting workers. To address these challenges, the BWU continues to prioritize education, offering classes to help workers understand their rights and navigate workplace difficulties.
