IAM Union members, along with labor and community supporters, held a demonstration outside Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s State of the Territory address in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The protest aimed to draw attention to stalled contract negotiations and the lack of wage increases for hospital and clinic security officers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
About 40 IAM-represented security officers have worked without a collective bargaining agreement or general wage increases since 2021. Protesters attribute this situation to the Virgin Islands government’s Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) and Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), which they say have not fulfilled their legal responsibilities.
“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 union argues that despite working in stressful and sometimes dangerous conditions, these officers continue to be denied fair treatment while living costs increase across the islands.
“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 about collective bargaining rights throughout the territory.
