NUPW’s Holiday Message: Stellar service from Barbadians

This year as the hours counted down to Christmas day, I must admit to having a childlike excitement about the Holiday.  2020 has been a whirlwind year!  We learnt to coexist with COVID 19 – and its implications beyond health and including its economic devastation.  Consequently, we have survived as brothers and sisters in the trade union movement and that we can once again celebrate with our families at this time feels like an extra special blessing in itself this year.

I am heartened that we, as members of the public service, have primarily adapted to the measures that keep us safe but have also continued to offer the crucial services that we provide to the public.  Licensing continues, taxes are being paid and processed, and of course, Barbadians can send and receive packages to and from loved ones.  Those packages from overseas family and friends are especially helpful at this time to provide food support to some families as mitigation against job losses in sectors such as tourism.

In addition to the stellar service in the sectors mentioned, I want to say a special thanks to the frontline workers of Barbados, many of whom are civil servants.  Nurses and other hospital staff categories and the staff at the airport have continued to fly the flag of Barbados high.  We have shown our resilience as a nation and our continued ability to punch above our small size.

It is my particular pleasure, on behalf of the Executive and staff of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW) to wish our membership and the wider Barbadian community a restful and safe Christmas.