The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados was officially registered as a Trade Union Organization in Barbados on 4th August 1995. This umbrella body was officially launched on Saturday, 12th August 1995 at the Barbados Workers' Union -'Solidarity House.'

The initial step towards developing a formal structure emerged out of a meeting convened at the Barbados Workers' Union, 'Solidarity House' on 29th September 1991. At this meeting a ten (10) member group made up of Trade Unions and Staff Associations, took the decision to organize themselves under the name the Coalition of Trade Union and Staff Associations of Barbados.

The formation of the Coalition was considered in some quarters as a 'loose arrangement'. This view emerged out of the perception that the Coalition was not a legally constituted body, and hence functioned merely as a collaborative body. There can be no denying that it did not have a formal constitution, and hence the claim had some validity.

It was not until 28th February 1992, that a subcommittee was set up to commence work on a draft constitution. The reality is that it took virtually another three years before the final document was completed. The constitution was accepted at a meeting of 12th July, 1995.

In an attempt to organize the functioning of the Coalition, an Interim Executive was put in place. Leroy Trotman now Senator Sir Roy Trotman - General Secretary of the BWU was identified as the Chairman, with Keith Yearwood - the then President of the NUPW as the Co-Chairman.

Senator Sir Roy Trotman served as President of the CTUSAB from 1995 until 2010.  Currently, there are thirteen organizations affiliated to the CTUSAB. The newest members to the grouping are the Nurses Assistants Aides Association of Barbados, and Association of Public Primary Schools Principals.

The founding members of the CTUSAB were:

• The Barbados Workers Union
• The National Union of Public Workers
• The Barbados Union of Teachers
• The Barbados Secondary Teachers Union
• The Police Association
• The Fire Service Association
• The Prison Officers Association
• The Barbados Registered Nurses Association
• The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners
• Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools

The Sugar Industry Supervisors Association, now renamed the Sugar Industry Staff Association (S1SA), was the last organization to join the umbrella body when it operated under the name of the Coalition. SISA as it is known was accepted into membership in October 1991. This was subsequent to the inaugural meeting in September, when the decision was taken by unions and staff associations to form themselves into a collaborative body, for the express purpose of formulating a response to Government planned initiatives to rescue the ailing economy.

The road to the consolidation of the labour organizations under one umbrella was not without some alarm. It received an early threat, when in May 1993; the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) withdrew from the Coalition. BAMP cited its dissatisfaction with the failure of the Coalition's leadership to support BAMP's mandate, which called for the resignation of the then Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Erskine Sandiford. In 2004, BAMP was once again accepted as an affiliate of the Congress.

The Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados has emerged as a respected voice of Barbadian labour, as it represents the collective views of its members on broad national issues of an industrial relations, and socioeconomic and political nature.

As an umbrella organization, the CTUSAB seeks to strengthen the labour movement by positioning itself towards influencing policy decisions which impact on workers and the populace at large.

It should be recognized that the work of the Congress is not limited to the national front, but is extended to address regional and global issues that impact on civil rights and liberties, including human rights and trade human rights, which all people must enjoy.

The focus of the Congress is clearly set out in the aims and objectives of its constitution: For example the constitution specifically speaks to:

1. Promoting the interests of its members, and generally seeking to advance the social and economic welfare of the workers of Barbados.
2. The securing of legislation, which will safeguard and improve the economic security and social welfare of workers, and the security and welfare of all people.
3. Promoting the cause of peace and freedom in the world, by assisting and cooperating with free and democratic labour movements throughout the world.
4. Promoting and improving inter union harmony, and establishing a framework for the resolution of disputes.

It is significant to note that the constitution also provides for the sovereignty of each of its affiliates to be respected. This is reflected under the aims and objectives of the constitution, which speaks specifically to promoting and respecting the autonomy of each affiliate.

Evidence that this has been observed, is recorded in the Congress' acceptance of the NUPW decision to undertake to negotiate separately with Government, in reaching arriving at a two year wages and salaries agreement.

The CTUSAB's prides itself on the observance of and the respect shown for individual sovereignty and autonomy of each of its affiliates.

It is important to point out, that the Congress holds steadfastly to the promotion of democratic ideals. It is also equally important to note that the CTUSAB remains free of any partisan political affiliation.

The management of the CTUSAB is entrusted into an Executive Board of Directors. The initial constitution of the organization provided for five elected officers. These were: a President, Vice President, General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary and Treasurer, who are elected at the Biennial Conference of the organization. The revised constitution of 2003 now makes provision for two additional Vice Presidents. A representive of each affiliate also sits on the Board of Directors.

The Biennial Conference appoints an auditor and three trustees.

Dues payable by each affiliate are used to fund the operations of the CTUSAB. The dues paid by each affiliate are calculated on the basis of declared membership. In its formitave years the CTUSAB received no funding from Government.  However, this changed in 2010.

The delegate status of each affiliate to the Biennial Conference of the Congress is determined on the basis of the declared membership by an affiliate.

The CTUSAB takes credit for developing the initiative known as 'The Week of Excellence.', which was conceived by Mr. John Agard, a member of the Barbados Workers' Union.

Senator Sir Roy Trotman and  Brother Patrick Frost are the first appointed Life Vice Presidents of the Congress.

See our form here:Membership form

See our form here:Membership form