By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 7th May 2026) — “As much as I believe in the Union, and as much as I want you to be part of it, my first priority is you. Know your rights. Learn them. Understand them. Understanding your rights is not optional, it is practical. It is personal.” Those were among the remarks delivered by 22-year-old executive committee member of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union (SKNT&LU), Jutambien Kelly, during the Union’s post-Labour Day march event held at the Patsy Allers Play Field on Monday 4th May 2026, following the annual Labour Day march.
Addressing the gathering, Kelly reflected on the significance of the occasion and the role of workers within society: “Just take a moment and look around you, at the red, the energy, and the pride in this space. As a young person in the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, standing here today and seeing this, it means something. It truly does. But I want you to understand something; today is not about a banner, a title or an organization. Today is about you. Labour Day belongs to the worker. To the person who shows up even when they are exhausted. To the person holding it together for their family. And to the individual whose effort keeps the heart of this country beating. Today is your day.”
Speaking on the role of the Union, Kelly remarked: “And here is the truth we cannot afford to forget — when the crowd leaves, when the music fades and when tomorrow morning comes, we all have to go back to work. And that is where the Union lives. We live in the quiet moments, the ones without the crowds or the cameras. We live where your rights are tested, where your voice needs to be heard, and where fairness is not guaranteed unless someone stands up and demands it. That is our space.”
Using an analogy to describe the relationship between government and unions, Kelly said: “Think of it like building a house. The foundation is the government — they set the policies, the legislation, the structure. The roof and walls are the Union. We are the ones standing with you every day, making sure that when the pressures of life come down, you are covered, protected, and never standing alone. A foundation without a roof leaves you exposed but a roof without a foundation cannot stand. It takes both.”
Directing her message to younger workers, Kelly stressed: “People often ask me: ‘Where does the real power sit? Is it in the government, or is it in the Union?’ To be honest that question misses the mark for me. These two were never meant to be rivals; they were designed to be partners.” She encouraged workers to formally join the Union, noting that dues “cost less than a number one from KFC monthly,” and invited persons to engage with the organization’s ‘Working For Workers’ booth and to visit the union’s headquarters at Masses House.