USW members who serve as government support staff members in the U.S. Virgin Islands secured a major victory this summer when the union and the government agreed to a $20.4 million settlement following a 12-year fight for back pay.
Under the USW contract with the territorial government, about 500 USW members were owed pay increases covering the years 2009 to 2013, which they never received. The USW fought back, filing grievances and a lawsuit, and holding numerous public events calling on the government to fairly compensate the members of Locals 8249 and 8677 on St. Thomas and Local 8248 on St. Croix.
“These hard-working and dedicated union members are the backbone of the essential pubic services on the islands,” said District 9 Director Daniel Flippo, whose territory includes the U.S. Virgin Islands and seven southern U.S. states. “It’s a shame that it took 12 years, but they kept fighting and never gave up. That’s what Steelworkers do.”
USW members’ fight for justice faced a series of delays, including changes in governmental leadership, a series of devastating hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
USW leaders said they would make sure that the territorial legislature includes the back pay funds in its fiscal 2025 budget.
“It should be very simple – the government must meet its obligations to its work force,” Flippo said.