President

Bro. Armell Thomas is a long-standing employee at the Department of Health as a Senior Environmental Health Officer.

Bro. Thomas comes back to the BPSU as he was President of the Union from 2005-2011 and served as President of the Caribbean Public Services Association (CPSA) from 2006-2007.  He also presided over the 37th Annual Conference held in Bermuda in July 2007.

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Under Bro. Thomas' previous presidency with the BPSU, the Union participated in marches on the Government of the day in 2008 for unsettled BPSU negotiations and joined public service unions in support of the Police Service Association in protest of their outstanding contract talks.

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Bro. Thomas' aim is to continue to move the Union forward in this ever-changing world.

1st Vice President

Sis. Nadine Henry is the Senior Youth Services Development Officer for the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation. Formerly a Social Studies teacher, Sis. Nadine transferred within the public service in 2006 to become a Community Education and Development Programme Coordinator. Shortly after she joined the BPSU and became a Shop Steward for the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Sis. Nadine was an involved unionist having served previously as the Division 7 Secretary, member of the BPSU - Government Negotiation Team, member of the Young Workers Committee (now Future Leaders) and Chair of the BPSU Women’s Committee. She has represented the BPSU overseas, presenting in Women’s Forums and served as the Education Chairperson for the Caribbean Public Services Association.

Sis. Nadine considers herself a servant of fellow mankind therefore she easily aligns herself with defending the rights of workers.

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Sis. Nadine’s mantra is, “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.” Marian Wright Edleman

2nd Vice President

Sis. Dr. Michelle Evans is a pragmatic and committed leader with an extensive record of success in the healthcare and labor relations industry. She prides herself on assessing, managing, and resolving critical issues and promoting organizational development at varying levels. She has also represented the Union overseas and has obtained her Certificate in Labour Studies through the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies.

Her core goals are improving organizational culture and maintaining positive work environments by representing diverse members and thwarting bad practices. In tandem with this, she collaborates with various administrative management and Human resource teams to ensure compliance with labor contract terms and the development of the preceptor program. This program will benefit new hires in acclimatizing to the organization's culture, policies, and procedures.

Sis. Dr. Evans loves to travel and enjoys the culture, rich history, food, and getting to know the people of the various places she visits. Her greatest desire is to help others achieve professional and personal growth and development through mentorship, support, and guidance.

3rd Vice President

Sis. Sharon Symonds has a long history of active trade unionism stemming back to the early eighties. Her first experience as a Shop Steward was in the hotel industry at Lantana Cottage Colony under the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU).

In 1996 she became employed with the Bermuda Government as a Nurse’s Aide at Lefroy House.  She then transferred to the Department of Health as a Community Health Worker providing services caring for seniors in their own home.

Sis. Symonds has come through the ranks of the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU), previously serving as Shop Steward for the clerical staff at the Department of Health and then as a General Officer as Chairperson (Chief Shop Steward) of Division 2.  In November 2022, General Council appointed her as the 1st Vice-President of BPSU after the seat was vacated.  During this short period, she had responsibility for overseeing Divisions 2, 10 & 11.

Most persons will know Sis. Symonds for her passion in representing BPSU in the community as Chairperson of the Community Outreach Committee. 

Sis. Symonds has always been an advocate for others and is adamant about making sure that people are not disrespected and are treated fairly especially in the workplace.  She is very serious about her role and demonstrates true dedication with a willingness to serve.  She welcomes teamwork. One of her personal mottos is” I speak for those that don’t have a voice.”

A number of years ago, Sis. Symonds suffered from Sensorial Hearing Loss and she is currently a member of the Disability Advisory Council.  She is the co-founder of the group “Hear Us Now Bermuda” which provides a safe space and support for people who are experiencing hearing loss and helps to remove the stigma that is attached to persons with disabilities.

Sis. Symonds describes herself as being designed with a purpose, programmed to succeed and Destined for Greatness.

Recording Secretary

Sis. Ashley Smith is currently an Enforcement Officer within the Judicial Department, responsible for the Supervision of the Office of Family & Child Support and enforcement of Maintenance Orders in over 20 jurisdictions.  

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Sis. Smith has been the Secretary and Chairperson of Division 12 and served on the Future Leaders and Women's Committees.  She has represented BPSU both locally and overseas at UNI, CPSA and CLC.

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As Division Chair, she was responsible for members spanning eleven (11) different Departments/Sections of Government.  Sis Smith has participated in Government negotiations, Secretariat negotiations, grievance handling, disciplinary hearings, critical Health & Safety issues, decision making for the Union and more.

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She is a proud Public Servant, BPSU Member and Union Activist.  As an acknowledgement of her work as a Unionist, Sis. Smith was awarded 'Young Woman of Influence' by the BPSU Women's Committee on International Women's Day in 2018.

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Sis. Smith's biggest supporter is her 11-year-old daughter, and she keenly observes her mother serving the members fairly, transparently, effectively and most importantly in their very best interests.

Assistant Recording Secretary

General Secretary

The Union is pleased to report that effective May 12, 2021, Bro. Kevin S. Grant assumed the role of General Secretary.

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In 1994, Bro. Grant was elected as Shop Steward for the Department of Planning, where he worked as a Senior Administrative Officer for 27 years, while still serving in various capacities within the BPSU.  In 1997, he was selected to participate in BPSU’s Leadership Development Program and served as an Executive on the Youth Committee.  In 1999, Bro. Grant was elected the Chair of Division 11.   As a part of his on-going development, Bro. Grant attended the New Union Leaders Course at George Meany University of Labor in Baltimore, Maryland in 2000. As a representative of the BPSU, he participated in the prestigious Commonwealth Study Conference in Australia and New Zealand in 2003.

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Bro. Grant was elected as 3rd Vice President (2005-2008) and 1st Vice President (2008-2011) before ascending to the post of President (2011-2014). 

During his tenure as President, the relationship between the BPSU and the Bermuda Industrial Union was rejuvenated resulting in the BIU joining the Bermuda Trade Union Congress in 2012.  As President, he participated in the historic round of negotiations between the Bermuda Government and the BTUC in 2013. 

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In March 2014 Bro. Grant received his Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management, and in October 2016, he was appointed BPSU’s Assistant General Secretary. In 2018, he obtained a certificate in Labour Relations through Queen’s University IRC program, and in June of 2019 he was awarded the designation of Chartered Manager.

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Bro. Grant has served on various Government boards and Committees including Immigration Board, Labour Advisory Committee, Joint Grading Panel, GENI Management Committee, Public Service Superannuation Board and the BHB Compensation Governance Committee.

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Married to Dorothea and father to one son named Dakai, Bro. Grant is very active in the community having served on the Pembroke Parish Council and in various positions on the North Village Community Club Executive as well as the Treasurer for North Village Community Trust (St. Monica’s Neighborhood Action Group).