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 group called for overdue contracts and 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 working at hospitals and clinics in the territory have not had a collective bargaining agreement or general wage increases since 2021. According to union representatives, this is due to the Virgin Islands government, specifically the Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) and the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), failing to meet their legal obligations.
“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 protest highlighted that despite their role in protecting patients, healthcare staff, and the public—often under stressful conditions—these security officers have not received fair treatment as living costs rise 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.”
The event also saw participation from other unions facing similar issues, pointing to broader concerns over collective bargaining rights throughout the territory.
