Bahamas Public Services Union is a very unique Trade Union which looks after the interest of just under 5,ooo members of all categories of workers employed in the various government Ministries, Boards and Corporations throughout The Bahamas.

It is the second largest Trade Union in the country. Because it represents the interest of so many people in many wide range occupations, it requires a complex organization to carry out it's functions. We are not white or blue collar union, our membership encompasses workers from the very top to the public service professional ladder to men and women who keep our surroundings clean and keep the vital public services functioning. Are we not unique?

The Bahamas Public Services Union like most of the unions in The Bahamas would most likely not be here today were it not for the events of 1942, 1958 and 1988.

The Government of that era (1942-1958) refused to recognize the difference between progress and regress, their way of progress was contained and divisiveness among workers. Is history repeating itself?

The events of 1958 were gravestones for others but conversation for The Bahamas Public Services Union. So on Saturday the 18th July, 1958 the Nassau Herald carried the headline, "Civil Servants Meet To Organize The Union". It also stated that members of The Bahamas Civil Service have at last taken the first step towards unionization.

One year later the 19th July, 1959 we became a registered Trade Union. Victimization, persecution and favoritism represented progress to the powers of that era, any other way would have been the end of their ancient rights and privileges. Men like Sir Randal Fawkes, Sir Clement T. Maynard, Thaddeus Darling and Arlington Miller were concerned with social and economic well being of all the workers. Today your leaders can do no less.

It really takes determination and love for their fellow workers to bond themselves together so as to protect and advance their common interest.

The property on East Street South in Keningston Gardens were purchased under Mr. Maynard's watch. The late Mr. Thaddeus L. Darling and his officers borrowed $220,000.00 and built the Union 's Complex on East South with a membership of just over one-thousand-two-hundred (1,200) who paid monthly dues of only one dollar ($1.00) each.

In 1976 a team of officers were elected under the leadership of Mr. Arlington L. Miller who made a promise to the members to lift The Bahamas Public Services Union out of complacency into the mainstream of productivity where the hopes and aspirations of Civil Servants would be met.

Mr. Miller said that he was not satisfied in just being a name, but was concerned with the protection of the workers savings and their families. The Union developed a Health Scheme and improved it to a Major Medical Plan, a Pension Plan and an Emergency Loan. Today we own a modem Service Station and an Administrative Building a Medical Plan building on Wulf Road and a similar building complex in Freeport , Grand Bahamas. All of the above were accomplished during Mr. Miller and Mr. McDonalds's reign.

Yes today, whether you believe it or not, we are equal partners in the economic growth and development of The Bahamas. We are employers and employees, we are business men, union leaders and co-partners in the affair of our country.

We stand firm today more than ever before in achieving our goals in raising the quality of life for our members.