The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Union Congress (CBTUC) is a central trade union federation in The Bahamas under the leadership of Mr. Obie Ferguson Jr, KC. It was founded in 1976 and is based in Nassau. The CBTUC plays a significant role in advocating for workers’ rights and representing their interests within the country. The congress represents various trade unions and their members across different sectors in The Bahamas.
In October 2021, BECAWU became an affiliate of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Union Congress. On October 15, 2021, the Executive Members of BECAWU were invited to a press conference at the White House of Labour on Wulff Road. At the press conference, BECAWU was introduced to the entire Bahamas as a member of the Trade Union Congress. All teachers from Grand Bahama to Inagua were made aware that there is another teachers union, and that they now can choose who they want to represent them.
https://caribbeanunionofteachers.org/about-us
In July 2023, BECAWU officially became a member of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT). The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Executive Meetings are held twice a year – July and December. Each Caribbean island hosts a meeting and all member units of CUT are expected to host an Executive Meeting.
BECAWU became a member of Education International in December, 2023. Education International (EI) is a global union federation representing organizations of teachers and other education employees, acting as the voice of educators worldwide with over 33 million members in 180 countries. With its affiliation, BECAWU stands as the sole teachers’ union in The Bahamas that holds membership with Education International (EI). The meetings are held every five years.
In July 2024, President Sandra Major and Founding Member Ricardo Major travelled to Argentina to attend the Education International Conference.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations (U.N.) agency. The goal of the ILO is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards. The ILO is the only United Nations agency that brings together governments, employers, and work representatives of 187 Member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all men and women. BECAWU is committed to engaging with international labor organizations and events to advance the interests of educators and workers in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region.
In June 2024, President Sandra Major, AVP Michelle Outten and Founding Member Ricardo Major, attended the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland. At this conference, President Sandra Major represented the workers from The Bahamas for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Union Congress. (CBTUC) She responded to the Director General of the ILO, Gilbert F. Houngbo’s report on “Impacts of climate change on occupational safety and Health”.
In June 2025, a delegation from the Bahamas Educators, Counselors and Allied Workers Union (BECAWU) traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the International Labour Conference. The team consisted of President Sandra Major, Treasurer Maralyn Burrows, Area Vice-President Michelle Outten, and Founding Member Ricardo Major.
A reception was held for the Bahamian delegation by the Bahamian Geneva Mission.
