Labor unions in the Virgin Islands have teamed up to offer a more unified voice when it comes to addressing the issues facing workers in the territory. The new umbrella organization – the U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation (ALF) – recently held its inaugural meeting to identify the issues that urgently need to be addressed.
“Our goal is simple: bring workers together to speak with one unified, powerful voice,” said the USVI Area Labor Federation Executive Board. “For too long, working people in the Virgin Islands have faced rising costs, stalled contracts, and limited political engagement. The Area Labor Federation is going to change that.”
The Federation, which represents approximately 4,000 workers across the territory, is a coalition of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the American Federation of Teachers (Local 1825), United Steelworkers, the Police Benevolent Association, the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, the Seafarers International Union, the American Federation of School Administrators, and the UVI chapter of the American Association of University Professors.
Newly appointed ALF Executive Board President Carver Farrow vowed that “this will not be business as usual.” Instead, according to Mr. Farrow, “Working people are coming together to build real power — and to elect leaders who will fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and a stronger future for our Territory.”
The Federation is expected to immediately turn its attention to several urgent challenges facing unionized workers in the territory, including widespread contract delays, rising cost of living and low wages, workforce shortages, unsafe working conditions, and the breakdown of labor relations infrastructure. Efforts to strengthen member engagement and expand the influence of labor across the territory include training seminars, increased political engagement and a unified communications strategy.
“We are committed to mobilizing our members, holding elected officials accountable, and ensuring that working families are at the center of every major decision affecting our islands,” vowed the new ALF Executive Board.
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