Labor unions in the U.S. Virgin Islands announced on March 24 the formation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation, a new coalition aimed at mobilizing workers and building alliances with community organizations throughout the territory.
The creation of this federation comes as workers face rising costs, stalled contracts, and workforce frustrations. The goal is to ensure that employees are organized and prepared to hold both current officeholders and political challengers accountable during upcoming elections.
“This will not be business as usual,” said Carver Farrow, Executive Board President of the U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation. “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 represents about 4,000 workers from a range of sectors including education, law enforcement, industrial work, maritime trades, and public employment. Member unions include IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), American Federation of Teachers Local 1825, United Steelworkers, Virgin Islands Police Benevolent Association, Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Supervisors Union, Seafarers International Union (United Industrial Workers of NA), American Federation of School Administrators, and American Association of University Professors – University of the Virgin Islands.
A joint strategy meeting led up to the federation’s founding. There union leaders assessed challenges such as contract delays—with many collective bargaining agreements expired or extended without wage increases—rising living costs despite minimum wage hikes, workforce shortages especially in law enforcement and public services, unsafe working conditions in schools and government buildings, slowdowns at labor relations agencies like PERB and OCB resulting in unresolved negotiations or backpay issues, concerns over employer contributions to retirement systems like GERS, lack of collaboration between labor management teams even when required by contract terms; plus limited inclusion for some employees in bargaining units.
“Our goal is simple: bring workers together to speak with one unified powerful voice,” said the federation’s 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.”
To address these issues moving forward members plan coordinated efforts such as leadership training seminars for union stewards rank-and-file mobilization improved communications strategies greater participation in legislative hearings candidate interviews—all designed to increase labor’s influence across the territory.
