Sir. George H. Walter stands as one of Antigua and Barbudaโs greatest Black labour leaders and nation builders. At a time when working people, especially black workers, were excluded from power, he expanded trade union representation beyond traditional blue-collar jobs to include hotel, aviation, clerical, business, and white-collar workers.
When political interference at the AT&LU threatened workersโ rights, Sir. George chose principle over position. He founded the Antigua Workersโ Union (AWU) and led a historic struggle that secured recognition for the new union, reinstatement for dismissed workers (without loss of pay), and defended the fundamental right of workers to organise and bargain collectively.
Sir. George later helped establish the countryโs first elected parliamentary opposition and went on to serve as Premier of Antigua and Barbuda, proving that black working-class leadership could empower and uplift the people with integrity and vision.
