Robert Austin Wilson 1907-1991 was the second of four children born to Robert and Mary Wilson and had his early education at Crawford School Till’s Hill. He became a master carpenter- a labourer and Political activist. He learned his trade with the Boars on East Broad Way. He worked with Mr. Francis Harvey Edmondson in the Dismont building. R.A as he was better known while working at the Bermuda Development Company in Tuckers Town, noted that some of his fellow workers were being paid less wages than their counter parts (foreigners) he objected and was branded a trouble maker and eventually lost his job. He called a meeting and was instrumental in organizing his fellow workers and formed the Bermuda Workers Association. He along with colleagues Gerald Brangman who became Vice President and William Davis Treasurer, led the 1944 protest against wage cuts imposed on several hundred black Bermudians employed at the United States Naval Operating Base in Southampton. With other workers they set up the N.O.B Workmen’s Association and Austin was elected its first President. A week later support for the organization island wide resulted in a name change to the Bermuda Workers Association. The fore runner of the Bermuda Industrial Union. In 1963 he became one of the seven founding members of the Progressive Labour Party. He had deep Christian beliefs . He served faithfully  singing as a Tenor in the St. Paul Senior choir for many years. He conducted educational tours at the B.I.U. Headquarters and his goal was to leave his legacy to those he counseled and some day would leave behind.  His greatest work will be remembered by those he touched throughout his life of dedication to his fellow men.

 

ROBERT JOHNSTON——- UNION STALWART

  Robert Johnston was hailed as a man who feared nothing yet fought for everything. Mr. Johnston started out in the work force at an early age along with his father in the plumbing business. His father at that time during the post war era was renovating the Elbow Beach Surf Club, while there Robert got an early start and grounding in the labour movement.

He joined the Bermuda Industrial Union in 1948, he was 16 years old. He immediately made his presence felt as he worked at his trade at the Kindley Airforce Bases. Robert and his Co-Worker Winston York were encouraged  to try and Unionize  fellow plumbers. At their first meeting Mr. Johnston was elected as President to head the Plumbing Division, he eventually became President of the amalgamated  Building and Construction Division of the B.I.U in 1961.

Mr. Johnston decided to advance his knowledge of Union Affairs, Works and Procedures  and studied several courses at home and abroad. He excelled and gained the respect of his fellow Unionist, one such person he under his wing and mentored was Helena (Molly) Burgess.

IN 1964, he represented the Bermuda Industrial Union at it’s 100th Annual Conference of the Caribbean Congress of Labour. During his term as President he made sure that Education was the corner Foundation laid out for the growth and Development of the Union stalwart from 1962-1964 as Vice President and for six years on the General Council of the Caribbean Congress of Labour.

                                                     

During his term of office he served under Martin T. Wilson another Union stalwart from 1962-1964 as Vice President and for six years on the General  Council of the Caribbean Congress of Labour. He retired as Chief Organizer of the Union in September 2002 after fifty years of service.

He was Married to Mrs. Nell Johnston who herself was a great contribution to the Community and was lorded for her art of flower design in many exhibitions. She stood by his side and supported him in all his endeavours to the very end. His successor who took over the helm of the great organization was Bro. Ottiwell Simmons. Mr. Johnston passed into his greater reward on January 2014. He will always be remembered for his ambition and work ethic to his chosen career.

 

                         LIONEL S. PEARMAN UNITED    —       BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

                                              January 17th. 1936-April 8th.2008

Lionel was born the son of Laurie Pearman and Sheila Hall (Pearman) in Flatts Village. He was a product of two very strong families. He received his primary School Education at Elliott School. He gained the reputation as an outstanding athlete and he was a whiz as an outstanding athlete in Soccer. Like many children who lived a distance away from the school they attended, Lionel walked to school every day from Pond Hill (Glebe Hill) where his family resided. 

He passed the high school entrance exam to the Berkeley Institute and while there was regarded as an astute student. His interest in sport developed while at high school and football was his main outlet until he developed a love for Softball at Frizwells Hill where lots of competitions were played between the Uphill and Downhill for the well known  Pembroke Juniors. His other sport of choice was fishing and golfing playing his golf at Ocean View Club were at that time it was difficult for black people to play anywhere else. He assisted in organizing Club tournaments, With his love for softball he was instrumental in organizing the ‘Diamonettes’ with the assistance of players from the popular Dock Hill Rangerettes. He had a good work ethic. He worked at the Royal Gazette before taking on a position at the Bermuda Industrial Union as a Printer and Publisher. He played an extremely important role in making sure he photographed important persons of the Union Leadership in action. Such as Robert Johnston, Ottiwell Simmons, Derrick Burgess, Chris Furbert, Dr. Barbara Ball and Helena Molly Burgess. 

His career as a media Professional started at the Bermuda Press (Publishers of the daily local paper.  He worked as a trainer linotype operator. He left that position to join the Union and Published the Worker’s Voice for the Bermuda Industrial Union. He was determined he would do all that he could to further the cause of the workers. His quest to do all that he could to assist the workers led him to take up the position of President of BIU members Credit Union. His work improved the status of the Credit Union .

Lionel was a Stanch supporter of the Progressive Labour Party and volunteered his service unselfishly. He  was an upstanding father to his children and had no problem expressing his affection for them and they for him. Lionel ended his working life in the same location in which he started as a linotype operator for the Bermuda Press, when he commenced working for the Bermuda Press Printers, it was located in the same space now occupied by the BIU Headquarters.

In 1971, he spent two weeks at front Royal in Virginia USA. The American Institute for the labour Development. In 1970, he spent a week at the University of West Indies in Jamaica studying Occupational Health and Safety. In 1979 he did two weeks in Paris IBO in Surinam, learning Audio and Video Techniques, in Trade Union Communications. Lionel will live forever in the hearts and minds of those he worked with and all Bermuda Industrial Unionist.

Researched By Joy Wilson-Tucker Historian