Labor unions in the U.S. Virgin Islands announced on March 24 the formation of the U.S. Virgin Islands Area Labor Federation, a coalition designed to mobilize workers and build alliances with community organizations ahead of upcoming elections.
The new federation aims to address rising costs, stalled contracts, and workforce frustration by uniting approximately 4,000 workers from various sectors under one umbrella. Union leaders said this step is necessary to ensure that both current officeholders and political challengers are held accountable for supporting working families.
“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 includes unions such as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), American Federation of Teachers Local 1825, United Steelworkers, Virgin Islands Police Benevolent Association, Seafarers International Union (United Industrial Workers of NA), American Federation of School Administrators, American Association of University Professors – University of the Virgin Islands, and others representing educators, law enforcement officers, industrial employees, maritime workers, and public servants.
According to the federation’s Executive Board: “Our goal is simple: bring workers together to speak with one unified, powerful voice. 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.”
Union representatives identified several urgent issues during their inaugural meeting: widespread contract delays leading many employees to work without wage increases or effective enforcement mechanisms; continued financial struggles despite minimum wage hikes; shortages in key sectors like law enforcement; unsafe workplace conditions including deteriorating buildings; slowdowns at labor relations agencies such as PERB and OCB; unresolved retirement system contributions; insufficient collaboration between labor-management groups; and limited bargaining unit inclusion for some employees.
To address these challenges moving forward, the ALF plans coordinated efforts such as leadership training seminars for members’ engagement growth and an integrated communications strategy aimed at amplifying worker voices throughout legislative processes.
