George Hernández, President of the Algemene Bond van Overheid en Overig Personeel (ABVO) trade union, passed away unexpectedly on August 28, 2026. He was 64 years old. Hernández had been active in the trade union movement for decades and had been at the helm of ABVO since 2021.
Hernández began his trade union work in the 1990s and held various executive positions within ABVO. In 2000, he became treasurer of the executive committee. During that period, the union had to undergo financial reorganization after losing a large number of members due to redundancies in the public sector.
Hernández had been president of ABVO since 2021. The trade union represents not only civil servants but also employees of state-owned enterprises and other organizations in Curaçao, Bonaire and Sint Maarten. Hernández was regularly involved in negotiations on collective agreements, salaries and terms of employment.
ABVO celebrated its 90th anniversary in April this year. On that occasion, Hernández stated that the organization had continued to develop and had strengthened its position across the various islands.
Hernandez was not only active at national level. He completed courses at institutions including the Universidad de los Trabajadores de América Latina (UTAL) and held senior positions within regional and international umbrella organisations, including the Latin American civil servants’ federation, the Confederación Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Trabajadores Estatales (CLATE). From 2024, he also served as General Secretary of the ‘Central General de Trabajadores di Curaçao’ (CGTC). In that role, he represented Curaçao in tripartite consultations with the government and the business community.
In addition, Hernandez was active within the Federación Latinoamericana de Trabajadores Bancarios de Seguros y Afines (FELATRABS) and, consequently, within the World Organisation of Workers (WOW). In 2025, he attended the WOW’s last congress in Porto, Portugal.
George was so much more than a trade union leader: he was a committed campaigner, a beacon of solidarity and social justice, and a dear friend to all of us who had the privilege of spending time with him. His example of dedication, courage and conviction will remain a guiding light in our struggles and victories.
Our sadness at his passing is immense, but his legacy inspires us to continue along the path he charted, with the same determination and passion that characterized him.
Farewell, George. We will miss you deeply, but your spirit remains with us.
