General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang, has revealed that the Union has completed salary negotiations with the government of Dominica for the 2015-2018 triennium and has signed a collective agreement.
The agreement signals a breakthrough between the union and the government. The government had initially proposed a wage freeze for the period which the DPSU flatly refused, proposing a 15 percent increase instead. The union had even threatened protest action if the demand was not met.
But at a press conference on Wednesday, Letang said the agreement outlines a salary freeze for the period 2015/2016 and one off payment equivalent to one month salary computed on the last salary received by the officer who retired in 2015/2016.
“For public officers who remained, a one off payment for 2016/2017 equivalent to two months salaries, and that will be computed on the last salary received by the officer at June of 2017,” Letang said.
In addition to this, a three percent salary increase will take effect for the fiscal year 2017/2018 on July 1st 2017 which, according to Letang, means that these public officers are “owed two months back pay already that is retroactive.”
Coupled with this salary arrangement, the DPSU has also received $20,000 towards training and workshops for its members, a grant of $80,000 dollars towards the Union’s “revolving fund,” and a grant to the amount of $236,000 towards the Union’s medical funds and health insurance.
“The thirty-six thousand dollars will go specifically to assist those who are part of our group medical insurance scheme, and very often people go overseas, and during the first few months when they are overseas, they are not able to pay their premium, that money will assist them in paying their premium,” he stated.
He added that amount, some money will be used as travel money for members who are to go overseas.
With regard to the one off payments, Letang made it very clear that public officers are not paying any form of tax from it, and that tax will be absorbed by the government.
“So that is one of the reasons why we feel very happy and we feel that it is a great victory for us because we were saying that other people who are getting CBI money, they are not asked to pay tax, why public officers?” he said.
Lol! Boy Dominicans twet lmfao! Not little maypwi Letang get when things not going the way the union members wanted. Suddenly he is the best invention since crix and cheese.
Anyhoo, I’m happy that an agreement was finally reached and it honestly doesn’t sound too bad. I didn’t see the comment about no tax on CBI money as relevant though. That was a political line right there lol.
Hands in butter, feet in oil…Letang you happy!
.Hats off to you Mr. Letang. I am so happy you didnt allow the Government to intimidate you all
Mr Letang,thanks for sticking to your positions and getting the best deal for your membership.No less was expected of the leadership team and you delivered.Great job
This is reassuring and a bit stabilizing for Dominica & Dominicans. Civil servants deserve the raise & tax free back pay . Now we can have a productive civil service sector. Unions are important to the welfare of the workforce.
You guys are sell-outs. It is called negotiation. The Govt gave you exactly what they had in mind while you guys blow steam for nothing. Had you guys stand fast with the UWP you would have made out better. This is a failure. Another win for the Govt.
this is so true. This letang guy beating his chest for failing!
Finally Letang has his right foot on the bobolist cabal neck. Job well done this time but the war I s not over yet for public servants must stay vigilante to protect our democracy by any means necessary??.
Assertive like Mama Eugenia!?
When is CBI money for votes,NO TAX,why should the Public Servants pay tax?
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW
other people who are getting CBI money, they are not asked to pay tax, good point letang!
Congratulation Mr. Letang, growing up together all these years you have proven to me you have the ability to communicate to get things done. Good communication is the best components of achievement in life, I am very happy to know that you and the government was able to come to a peaceful decisions that makes every body happy good job keep it up.
Y couldn’t he had that which u spoke off before talking all those nonsense and did all the rubbish he did with his rally and political interference and dem cr*p? He just like Lennox act and then think.
The government was consistent that we can’t give what he ask for. We were honest and gave Wat we said we could afford.
So he had no choice but to put his tail in his AS# and accept what the country can afford.
Mr. Letang and the executive as well as the general membership who stood firm with the General Secretary, I say hats off to you guys and congratulations on this successfulcollective bargaining session.
I’m happy this was able to be resolved in a timely manner.