General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union has expressed disappointment in salary negotiations with the government of Dominica.
Some two weeks ago the DPSU met with the government’s subcommittee on salary negotiations and Letang labeled the meeting as ‘fruitful.’
But now he is singing a different tune, saying what is being offered is “far from attractive.” “What Government is offering us is far from what we are looking for or what was proposed and not what we left the table with … in fact it’s not at all attractive and we have not reach an agreement at all,” he said.
According to Letang the government has indicated that the economy cannot afford more than what they are proposing. He however said that the DPSU had given the government a list of what should be considered. “We have given them a list of other things and benefits which we want them to consider and are a waiting on them,” Letang remarked.
He said the DPSU will now meet with its general membership to decide the way forward. “After this, we’ll meet with the general membership to decide on the way forward. What is being offered is just not attractive and will take a lot in terms of trade off to try and convince our members to so accept,” he noted.
Three years ago the DPSU was able to secure a 3 percent salary increase for its members and according to Letang the organization is now being told that “things are much worse than it was then”. The DPSU and government are negotiating for the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 period.
Meanwhile President of the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) Celia Nicholas is tight-lipped on details of salary negotiations between her organization and the government of Dominica.
“We will be informing the government team about the decision taken by the teachers. I don’t know what they have accepted or not accepted but a decision was taken and due information will be given,” she said.
The parties met a few weeks ago and speaking to the media afterwards Nicholas had expressed her disappointment at the turn out of teachers to discuss the issue. She however remains optimistic of the outcome.
“We discussed the issues re salary with the teachers which is government’s proposal to us of one percent for 2010/2011; also one percent for 2011/2012,” Nicholas said.
She further explained DAT has also asked government for two other matters which she said was to be presented to Cabinet and DAT is awaiting response on those matters.
this is 2 much nonsense,a few months ago the gov was boastin of how well the country was doing in time of recession compared to other caribbean islands, all of a sudden because there is salary negotiation the country is doing bad and can’t afford, there was no hesitation to take 50% salary adjustment (a.k.a increase) a few years ago, but since then 3% increase for civil servants has been too much,BUT hear that, CELIA NICHOLAS, the heroin, has been agreeing with every single gov’t proposal. some years ago she invited teachers toa meetin on turkey lane so that the pierre charles gov’t can explain why salaries are being reduced and there are alot of teachers still followin her.Shame on dem, shame, shame,shame
Letang is trapped between a rock and gwage coco (grater). Note that 75% of the civil servants are laborites some deserving of their position , other misfits, some just loafers , others floaters and some genuinely hard workers. The truth is the civil servants are primarily a parcel of cherries picked by politicians. Mr Letang and and his succesors will always be fighting an up hill battle whether it is the Blue, Green or red in power.
The 1979 riots against the government had been successful for the following reasons ; Although the civil servicants were primarily supporters of the Patrick John labor party the pride of independence, the feeling that we as a people can make our own decisions had been a huge factor in the uprising against Patrick John and his policies. Let us not forget PJ threatened to throw civil servants in a special prison that he promised to build at the Cabrits- that did not go well with a people who were still glowing with a second round victory over the colonialist. Additionally Charles Saverin’s success was very much aided by the other unions – DAWU and others. The support of disgruntled Laborites like Mike Douglas, Rosie Douglas and their supporters was also a huge factor.
What does Mr Letang have? Just Mr Letang and 25% support from the Public Service Union. It would have been helpful if Mr Letang had the support of those experienced folks who were involved in the uprisings of the 1978-1979. Unfortunately those who could impart their experience to Mr Letang’s effort are to engrossed in sucking the marrows , cheese and fwashin of the already burdened , some are deceased, migrated or simply too old.
The solidarity song says “ For the union makes us strong” maybe the words should be replaced with “ for the milk and cheese makes us meek and weak”
How is the DPSU supposed to be effective when the past leaders long time jump on the government band wagon… Charles Savarin, Sonia Williams… how many others just talking the talk but are not prepared to walk???
How many public officers are willing to go on strike… we are just too comfortable… Too many are singing they love the PM… cause is the PM have so many square pegs in “wrong” hole they just cannot do their jobs…
“According to Letang the government has indicated that the economy cannot afford more than what they are proposing.” …Dominica has an economy to talk about – what economy? This government has destroyed every sector in Dominica and replaced them with handouts – Dominica now has a hand-me-down-hand-out economy!
A A not even dominicans money dat making dominicans dis their government imagine dat they will comment about everything else xcept their own money what have these people come to in this dear land of mine
Poor letang leave dem alone in their coshony.
How can mr.Letang be aggressive without us public servants.letang is one man.
As a public servant i have difficulty with people who think that Letang is the union. Letang is acting on our behalf and when he call meetings three quarter of us do not attend what do we expect, support makes a difference we are the ones to make the union what it used to be NOT LETANG! we need to stop requesting favours so we can talk freely!
Dat good for him, he pussyfoot too much, now they slapping him in the face. what benefits?? Letang sitting down on teh public service commission and doing nofing to help his members in terms of appointments, there are people who needs his intervention at the services commission meetings and he there doing nofing, he needs to go. he useless
I believe Mr Letang is trying…..the government has no money because they are not doing for the country to have…we criticising too much…everybody head for the streets…protest action….
when you raise the salary of those at c&S they will agree to your terms and conditions
At this point in time Letang is useless.The DPSU needs a new leader,he talks to much and no positive action.Letang is aware of the over load of ministers of government that are sitting at government headquarters.Letang is aware of the many advisers that are being paid to have a good time at government headquarters.Letang is aware of a former minister of government who is being paid for sitting in the USVI.Letang is aware of the million of dollars that are being paid at the Red clinic.Letang is aware of the many retired public srevants that are being re employed when many young public servants are struggling.
you are indeed epitome of an idiot… letang is one man with a voice and the public servants have the real power. if they are not prepare to fight for what they want and play the political game with their pockets..
one man cannot shut down the country but a multitude can.
doh blame de man, if you are a servant shame on you.
letang ..i think you should do like the prez we.throw in the white towel.thanks for a job unwell done!
How can the government say things bad when it was said we doing so well. The officials got their 50% raise when they said the UWP leave the country with no money.How can things be bad? Letang you need to negotiate and ask for inflation rate plus what is rightfully due to the civil servants.
Things are good, teachesr and others need good things too. They have bills too.
I guess the HONEYMOON coming an END. MISSERY to follow!!
Rule of Thumb Letang…if the economy is set to grow at 2%, there is not much they can offer you above 3%
I say give 6% and reduce the workforce by 3%
Oh I see, so now I am getting negative rating and dislike
Its not the maths, but the arithmetic
So Mr. latang, if you are disappointed, what are you going to do about it?
Even a littel child can say that they are not happy with this Gov’t, but it the actions that must follow your repeatative words.
Enough is enough.!!”Action Now.”
you will be the first to go to work, so shut up fool. because i am prepare to loose not eight days pay but 6 months pay
PSU not ready yet because they asking for other benefits… what are these benefits? Do tell since I have not seen any from the past negotiations.
Someone try singing the song in creole.
Toute bagais tete abas
Toute bagais duva derere
What about singing the song tiwe yo si yo pas bon in English
Kick them out if they are no good.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
don’t know what people are giving you the thumbs up for but I cannot agree with you. Letang can talk all he wants but unless the general membership decides to be more involved nothing will change. You may say that as a leader he is not very dynamic or charismatic, however if as a member you believe in something and are enthusiastic about it, even the leader willfollow the steer of the membership. So it is time that civil servants put thier foolish political pride aside and take a stand.
I support you all the way Papa Dom. Letang may not be the best leader but if the full deck of cards is not available to him how can we judge him fairly.If everytime Letang put the coco out to dry the whether is cloudy he has no choice but to put the coco indoors.