IAM Union members, along with labor and community supporters, gathered outside Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s State of the Territory address in the U.S. Virgin Islands to demand new contracts and fair pay for security officers at local hospitals and clinics. The protest drew attention to 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 pointed to government agencies such as the Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) and the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), citing their failure to fulfill legal obligations regarding negotiations. IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin stated, “Our union will always stand shoulder to shoulder with workers who are demanding the respect they have earned. 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.”
Security officers continue working in challenging conditions without updated contracts or raises, despite increasing living costs in the region. The issue has attracted attention from other unions facing similar obstacles, reflecting broader concerns about collective bargaining rights.
IAM Southern Territory Special Representative John Vigueras said, “The message from our members and the community is simple: enough is enough. 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.”
The demonstration highlighted ongoing frustrations among public sector employees in the territory regarding delayed contract negotiations and stagnant wages.
