Find the money for public servants – DPSU to gov’t

Public servants at the meeting

The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) has challenged the government to find the money for a salary increase for public servants as it will not accept a wage freeze for the 2015-2018 triennium.

Addressing a solidarity rally of the union on Thursday afternoon, a tough-talking General Secretary of the DPSU, Thomas Letang, said protest action is not being ruled out if demands are not met.

He said it is an insult to the union that for three years it was never consulted by the government on salary increases.

“We are saying that enough is enough, we believe it is an insult for three years we are never consulted, there is absolutely no dialogue with us and when we get to the negotiating table, you tell us you are going to give us a wage freeze,” he stated.

Letang noted that a wage freeze is out of the question.

“No way are we going to accept a wage freeze,” he remarked. “They have to find the money to pay public officers. You cannot have a government being invited to address a youth group, to address a village council, without any plans being presented by those organizations you get checks of $450,000, $250,000, $300,000 and you are saying to public officers you have no money to pay them?”

He said the government must find the money.

“Find the money to pay them,” Letang said. “If you are responsible for DASPA, get the money to pay the employees at DASPA, at DOWASCO. at Solid Waste Corporation, wherever it is, find the money to pay them. When ministers of government wanted 52 percent salary increase, they found the money, so they have to find it for us and we are not going to compromise, they have to find the money to pay us salary increase.”

The DPSU is not ruling out protest action.

“We are saying as an executive, we are not going to call public officers together and demonstrate and protest on behalf of public officers,” he explained.
Anywhere our members are affected, we going to bring everybody together, so if we have a sick out, it is a sick out in the public service, it is a sick out at DASPA, at Solid Waste, where it is, that is the approach that we are going to take.”

Letang called on public servants to be ready for action.

“I want to tell you, be prepared for action, its either we sink or we float but we are ready and sooner than later we will be taking action,” he said.

Referring to the puncturing of his four tires on Thursday, Letang said he is prepared to die for public officers.

“I am not afraid. ..I am ever more resolute and determined now and is prepared to die for you,” he said to huge applause.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

52 Comments

  1. Ba Yo Bwa
    March 18, 2017

    Wait! What is the work the members of the PSU do again? And how’s the quality and standard? What is the productivity metric? Hmmm. Though so. Increase for what? Folks think this: when was the last time you went to a govt. office and service was prompt, efficient, expeditious and high-quality? Okay, now can we we talk about a raise? Seriously?

  2. KID ON THE BLOCK
    March 18, 2017

    “Find the money for the public servants.” Mr. must be believing he talking to his little boy man. So Letang you now ganging up with Lennox? Boy behave yourself; Skerro smarter than you ALL. Come better than that at negotiating table.

  3. febrese
    March 18, 2017

    Letang, you have gutz my friend. first of all you conned the government into giving a few contracts, then you totally abandoned your people who empowered you was their bargaining agent. To you, the contracts for security and over services was a better deal.

    Does the public know how you fought private companies for contracts? tell us Lantang

  4. mine
    March 18, 2017

    Why can’t you all vote Letang out get a new union leader stop blaming the Gov’t .

  5. mine
    March 18, 2017

    Why can’t you all votes this man letang out what is he doing for you all. You all are blaming PM ofr everything, blame Letang too,

  6. March 18, 2017

    Government has the opportunity to send a clear message to the people of Dominica and the Caribbean, by its choice on public worker’s pay rise.If Dominica is the place to come and work, come and live and the best place to be in the Caribbean then a good pay rise would go a long way to confirm this.i hope the message is Dominica is the place where hard work is rewarded and help build the best Country in the Caribbean region.

  7. HAHAHAYYYY
    March 17, 2017

    So dem retired people dre is public servant? Hahah whwre the 18-50 years old? Weh weh thom-ass late-ar shame on u. Ou paka hort? U not seeing public servant happy and dont worry with u? Good thing i stop pay u all and join aanothee union sak way palical moose boy. We shall never forget u uno for trying to sell our soul for uwp in 2009

  8. jazz53
    March 17, 2017

    I am not getting any of this argument, first of all there is no disclosure of the salaries of the public servant,secondly you have to creep before you can walk,do not expect to buy a car,house, etc,etc, after a year of employment that,s where savings comes in live withing your means, everyone deserves a fair wage for the work they do.Remember the public servant salaries comes from the backs of the tax payers,in a nutshell we are all in this together,you cant penalize some to benefit the others! remember the poorer people have to struggle in the same economy,so where is the balance? every one of us depend on the other.Man have created a rat race where we have to eat each other to survive,and that is very unfortunate,so lets all take a deep breath and think of the better way to make a bad situation good,and I know there are many. And if a salary increase is warranted let it be done .

  9. Unknown
    March 17, 2017

    A next Riot Dominica looking for!! World War 4!!!! It’s not far from now and it’s pretty close. 000% Feb 7th 2017 was a wake up call World War 3! It’s time for this Govt too come out; make a change.

  10. I VEX WEEE
    March 17, 2017

    Why is the audience all wearing blue????? I thought it was a meeting for public servants.

  11. Brenda Joseph
    March 17, 2017

    Minimum wage in the OECS countries are as follows: Antigua and Barbuda, EC$7.51 (EC$300.40 per week); Grenada, EC$6.00 (EC$240.00 weekly); St. Lucia, EC$5.00 per hour (EC$200.00 per week); St. Vincent and the Grenadines, EC$4.46 per hour (EC$178.40 per week); Dominica, EC$4.05 per hour (EC$162.00 per week).

    Source: St. Lucia Newsonline

  12. Child of Grace
    March 17, 2017

    But wait! Are these people retired public officers? I’m almost certain that on one hand I can count the number of public officers in that crowd.

  13. Frank Talker
    March 17, 2017

    Millions here, millions there, and more millions over there. That’s how I describe Roskit and his gang. Wha happen:- dirt road more important that State Workers? Dirt road in La Pointe and Kashakoo will be receiving millions, yet the people who will be doing the actual work are being told to accept zero? Boy, tell Rosket and dem to haul ………………..

  14. Looking
    March 17, 2017

    The problem is greed and selfishness. There are many public servants who were given positions because of politics. (They have their post so they don\’t care about others). There those who work hard they don\’t get promotions, there are those who dress in red everyday and they get their promotions. There are those who are weak (poor and ignorant) who are used and taken for granted. Scripture warns against who take advantage of vulnerable women. Scripture also warns of those who take praises for the blessings of the most high. Scripture warns of haughtiness. Where is the love we once showed one another? When judgement strikes many will say i did not know this man, i was not part of it. But its not too late to humble ourselves, give back the things which we did not deserve. Public servants stand with those who are oppressed its not too late

  15. Concerned Dominican
    March 17, 2017

    Very poor turnout.

  16. A servant myself.
    March 17, 2017

    But it wasn’t he who said that the rally was not going to be only about Salary negotiations? He even disrespected the Ambassador publicly because the guy simply advised public servants on how to go about it. Now hear him. This man is not normal.

  17. t
    March 17, 2017

    BE SMART. dont just request percentage increase if we go on strike. submit detailed proposals covering appointments, pension, and other necessary benefits. asking for just %age still leaves us kranana

  18. ??
    March 17, 2017

    After all these years he still hasn’t understood the art of negotiation. What a shame…

  19. The BRIBED & the BRIBER
    March 17, 2017

    Skerrit knows how to find the money no matter what he has to sell to pay. On a different note here is an interesting article found on ABC last week http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/navy-censures-admirals-involvement-bribery-scandal/story?id=28875272. Interestingly see what those officials were bribed with: Contractor Admits to Bribing Navy Officials With Prostitutes, Alcohol, Cuban Cigars
    Feds: Crooked Navy Officer, Dirty NCIS Agent, Hookers and Lady Gaga
    Massive’ Navy Bribery, Hooker Scandal Grows: Third Officer Charged.

    Let’s compare these bribed officers to those big boyz Mr. Woo himself said in an email that he bought them watches, paid for their sexual entertainment and other gifts..Were they even questioned by the police?

  20. March 17, 2017

    Be ready for what sort of action, Letang? Hope it’s ‘peaceful protesting’ and not anything to cause trouble.

    Take it easy cowboy!

  21. March 17, 2017

    Sounds like a Lennox; frightening.

  22. March 17, 2017

    Negotiate , mathematically one start with zero , and you move to 52 % like the people who live at Morn Daniel I ask the people , and the Union leaders stop fighting amount themselves . stop leaning to wards colors [red , bleu ] work and come together for the betterment of the people of Dominica , everything is expensive in D. A the people need a raise , stop giving out cement plywood, excreta to the lazy people who don’t need it , and give police , and rest of our public employees a raise. Skerro.

  23. Miss John
    March 17, 2017

    The same public servants that:

    Must struggle to pay their bills
    Struggle to send their children to school
    Cannot feed their family adequately
    Have to be relying on handouts to make ends meet
    Have to depend on Labour for housing
    Have to depend on Labour for toilets
    Are brokes as soon as they pay their bills,
    Cannot have a descent meal to eat
    Have to eat bakes and juice or $5 paleau for lunch everyday while on the sacrificing for the nation
    Must walk to work because they cannot pay bus
    Must live in their parents house because they cannot build a house to call their own
    Must drink glo sikwe` and dry bread for super
    Must bathe with blue soap
    Must lend iron, sugar, salt etc from the neighbour
    Must wash and bathe in the public stand pipe by the road
    Have four children sleeping in the same room
    etc etc etc
    These idiots will swallow their pride as dignified human beings and fall to the crap of the government!!!

    • JOE
      March 17, 2017

      Miss John who’s fault it is if they mismanage their salary? They do get paid on time right?? Money can never be enough, not even God can satisfy man wants never mind a Government!!!!

      • Floridian Diaspora
        March 17, 2017

        Sarcway sor sort, their salaries ware not mismanaged, they simply weren’t enough for the people to get by

    • NUWPl
      March 17, 2017

      So if u seeing all that why ask the government to help partrick john and to do this for Dominicans ect? Y hector john go to red clinic for help? Y all them workers passing in the back door going PM and other public officers for help? If if good for u all y can’t it be good for the needy? U all getting money before time under labour. Now it have more rides in Dominica dan before. Social security collecting millions more now dan before. More small business in Dominica dan before. More public servants have their own home very young dan before. More improvement to our road networks dan befor. No longer you hearing COMPUTER BREAK DOWN LIKE WE WAS HEARING UNDER UWP. So wats ur point? Stop listening to Matt and inform ur self of the opportunities available. Cus negativity won’t help u. Get the information and act on it to improve ur life. See the # of young ppl who can now get a collage education. Under UWP just over 300 cud go collage now almost 2000 at DSC. SO INFORM UR SELF B4 talking…

    • staying right there
      March 20, 2017

      ALL action they there and plus buying all things that in style how they struggling there….You have to give Excellent service to receive a good salary…

  24. MECURY, MERCURY, MERCURY
    March 17, 2017

    If Skerrit was able to find US $30,000 a month to pay Mercury to spin truth for them how can he not find money to pay us. Let’s stop talking and instead show him we ready to get the money whether it is in Panama, Malaysia or in Bank in the air

    • JOE
      March 17, 2017

      And you heard that on Q right??? They same Q that asked for evidence that Skerrit was in New York, is now selling a propaganda to you lock, stock and barrel…… wow what a ting, however before you swallow that Med at least you should seek further information wii….. poor all you Q listeners, zor oblige vini foooo!!!!!

      • %
        March 17, 2017

        Stop trying to be an apologist for a corrupt regime….YOU ARE FAILING MISERABLY.Use the gadget that you have and seek information,before coming on DNO and SHOWING BEYOND DOUBT that you are a numskull.

    • NUWPl
      March 17, 2017

      So the money he is giving PUBLIC SERVANTS DONT LIVE IN THOSE CILLAGES? Hahahahaha boy all u foolish we boy. So labourites he giving the money? The public servant not having or making use of it as well? When public can now get loans for 2-3% isn’t dat putting money in dre pocket? Wen they can now don’t get tax on dre salary (exempted) isn’t dat money in dre pocket? Getting help to do their studies while earning cash isn’t dat savings? Not paying collage tueition for their kids isn’t dat savings? Free txt books is wat? Workers was trying the free txt book thing but they couldn’t sustain it bcus they couldn’t find the money. I mean if u all thinking Dominicans are fool and not aware of wat went on under UWP and wat is going on now under labour den u all need to wake up. Bcus for those of us who live and work under workers won’t forget nor forgive UWP for wat they did to us with their 45 days a month to pay us. We are happy with skirrit and labour. And wi will show it again next…

    • Tom Brown
      March 17, 2017

      Skerrit should give it to all you And all the other benefits all you getting I would take it away. Go and pay all you own Insurace etc. Housing loans at 5% I would put at 8%. Then lets see who winningand who lossing. Fools Follow Thomas Letang on his political train. Play politics still we will see what happen. I am watching.

  25. %
    March 17, 2017

    Skerrit might have a 30minutes address tonight talking about a SECOND COUP/OVERTHROW was attempted on his government..With all his bravado,thats the person thathet he is..If not look out for more sharing of money.MORE PURCHASE OF SYMPATHY..WHERE THE WICKED RULE,THE PEOPLE MOURN!!This DLP regime is ectremely evil.

  26. %
    March 17, 2017

    I fully agree with mr Letang,because it cannot be that Skerrit and his DLP GANG are going from village to village, sharing and promissing money,and public servants are not being considered!The people are talking and boasting of the amount of money that they got.. IS THIS A COUNTRY.??
    WHY THE PURCHASING OF SYMPATHY? Isnt he a so called POPULAR MAN?Is that money from the treasury?If NOT,where is the source?..I just hope he,Skerrit is not planning a snap election WITHOUT ELECTORAL REFORM,because he Skerrit has had enough time to do so…
    THIS COUNTRY STINKS CORRUPTION!,,PAPA NOEL WITH MONEY GOING AROUND!!!!

  27. Public Servant
    March 17, 2017

    With all due respect sir; “Mouth alone you have” Start negotiating on our behalf, come back and tell us what the first/second offer is, then we will proceed.

    • FORKIT
      March 17, 2017

      idiot i bet you was not there yesterday… i am a servant to and disappointed with allu lazy no thinking idiots who afraid to come and participate because allu think one man is the union,, tebeh

      • JOE
        March 17, 2017

        Forkit this is a democratic country we can decide whether we go to a function or not without fear or favour… We the public servants are not paying Letang for all this crap we are paying him to negotiate on our behalf… right now he wants to use us to get Skerrit out and Lennox in… WE NOT IN THAT MAJEE!!!

        Salary maybe small and committed but at least it is regular and on time every time!!!

      • OLI
        March 17, 2017

        @FORKIT. With people like you around, it’s no wonder much of us didn’t show up for the rally. Who want to be around people like you who try to trash others for expressing themselves?
        Tell Mr. Letang find himself on the table and NEGOTIATE.

  28. Shameless
    March 17, 2017

    Yes comrade you have finally found your voice. You are now in the drivers seat so no letting up now. Demand your increase and hold the line. No backing down because CBI money flowing like tower now so public servants want their fair share of our passport money that a few are enjoying in HUGE commissions. I hear the Punjabe Doc mamotaaying in his meeting for his acolytes but is the PRESSHAA that he feeling. They tired take you for granted….SKERRIT MUST GO!

    Always Assertive! :twisted: :twisted:

  29. Floridian Diaspora
    March 17, 2017

    Can’t you see that public servants are not important to this regime? You all are slaves to them. Work for peanuts or be unemployed is the order of the day in this desolate paradise. If it were to build unnecessary bridges you’d see how fast they’d find some stole cold cash but for the slaves of the land they’ve being told to make more bricks with less straw. Remember the things that we can count on to go up in this country are taxes and the palrep and pm salaries not forgetting the air miles he’s been constantly racking up taking frequent holidays touring the world and flying over the seven seas at tax payers expense. Labor is malicious

    • FORKIT
      March 17, 2017

      true… i am a servant and i think letang should accept all the zero,s they throw at us because its politics before pocket… civil servant are to sick..

    • mine
      March 18, 2017

      I work with city of ny raise dont come easily and might get 1or 2% after how many years and they take half of it back in taxes. Honestly union leaders fight for their pockets whenever you get a raise union fare goes up,

  30. Doc. Love
    March 17, 2017

    Pay up or get out. Skeritt will not get out, he has to many dumplins on his plate. Imagine what is likely to happen to Skeritt if he is out of office and Allison Madueke, Alireza Montfared and Ng Lap Seng are found guilty for the crimes to which they are accused. Have no fear, Mr. Letang, Skeritt will find the money one way or the other. Knowing Skeritt, he likes to play the role of Moses delivering his people from Ramses. When the negotiations will reach a crucial point, he will step up and gives the public servants whatever they want. Then you will hear de ole talk, I made it happen.

    • Shameless
      March 17, 2017

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: you know him well :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

      This time we have him by the *ALLS. He MUST pay so you are right he will come like the savior to save the day after they already offer 0-0-0. If you hear him in his meeting last night he sounded like he already in a compromising reverse gear :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: We have him cornered already. Dominicans, remember 1979. We can accomplish anything if we put our minds to it and hold fast. SKIRT MUT GO!

      Assertive! :twisted:

      • Original Mahaut Man
        March 17, 2017

        That’s how you guys want to get in to power ,keep on dreaming because it will never happen .Letang don’t have the support of the DPSU.

    • nonamegal
      March 17, 2017

      So true Doc.Love. The PM will announce (at a time least expected but carefully planned) a wage increase higher than DPSU is asking and then hooray, every thing nice again. He is the best politician there is…seriously.

  31. the eye
    March 17, 2017

    is this another deja vu of 1979? History does repeat itself in the most dramatic was. Arise Dominicans and take your rightful place!!

  32. Lol
    March 17, 2017

    This man is rude and out of place, no wonder the DPSU is not supporting him. That’s not the way.

    • %
      March 17, 2017

      Of course Skerrit is rude and out of place..He gives handouts to a man on the block like you,with a dusty brain off course,and the public servants are catching hell….

  33. March 17, 2017

    Dominicans now is the time to stand up for your rights , and for your future, and your children future. the squeaky wheel get the most grease , united we stand divided we fall.

    • Tom Brown
      March 17, 2017

      Fools you think all you can over throw our Government. Wait for it. Skerrit smarter than all you fools.
      Thomas Letang . What goes around comes around. labour is her for another 20 years lets suppose Workers win which is not likely. Wage increase come. You that Thomas Letang it will come back to hunt your A. Thomas Letang and Workers must go and will stay out. God is Good all the Time. We shall not be moved.

      • concern citizen
        March 17, 2017

        I got my 121% in 1979 and freedom did not go the CSA stayed right there, D/ca don’t belong to U nor SKERRIT
        And for that matter U talk about God is good and that he is good all the time
        Yes I support U 100%+ because Christmas morning 2010 at St. Aromant God’s eyes are in every place beholding the Evil and the Good which UR. LABOUR party is doing in D/ca, it’s early still WHO LAUGH LAST LAUGH THE BEST

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available