DEF weighs in on DASPA strike; says it was premature

DASPA workers took industrial action last week

Executive Director of the Dominica Employers’ Federation (DEF) and Governor with the Dominica Business Forum, Achille Chris Joseph, has expressed concerns that gains made in the industrial relations maturing process were dealt a serious blow when employees of DASPA embarked on premature industrial action last week.

“It may well be true that the expectations of the employees were dashed when management of DASPA was not able to attend a March 12th meeting between the parties, but a withdrawal of their labour amounted to a similar behaviour, and did not make for an improvement in the matter,” he said.

He added, “For several years now, labor-management professionals have seen the benefits of continuing dialogue in averting bottlenecks to the value chain which, if not managed well, can cripple the ability of the organization to maintain even the status quo.”

Joseph, himself a labor-management professional and senior faculty in People Management at the BTC College, is hopeful that the parties will return to the table and continue the process of dialogue.

He also noted the news release by the Union that they will meet the Chairman of the Board of Directors of DASPA to plot a way forward.

This, he said, “is not standard procedure, nor an advisable strategy, because management is the domain of the executive and not the governors, but if it is the only option left to get back to the table, then it should be utilised.”

DEF’s advice to the parties is as follows:

– DASPA should prioritise dialogue with the Union representing their employees with a view to concluding an industrial agreement.
– Employees should refrain from industrial action because no dispute exists between DASPA and the Union. Industrial action in the absence of a registered dispute is not supported by our legislation and practice, and employees may be disciplined for participating in such an action.
– DASPA is included in the Schedule of Essential Services in Dominica. By “essential service” in meant that the organisation is critical for the functioning of our economy, society and democracy. To embark on industrial action at an essential service, the Minister for Labour MUST be given prior written notification by the Union. Violation of this requirement could result in prosecution by the State.

Achille Chris Joseph, Executive Director, DEF

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13 Comments

  1. Maria
    March 25, 2018

    Achille Joseph you should have made a full disclosure of your identity. You should let the people know that Benoit Badouille is the president of the Dominica Employers Federation, your boss, and that your statement is not a result of instructions given to you by him. Otherwise you are being dishonest in giving the impression that you are impartial whereas you are taking a subtle position against the DASPA workers on the behalf of your boss.
    You must have heard the Union state how long they have been trying to meet with the management of DASPA, your boss, and he has continued to ignore them. So Benoit Badouille has not said a word but you choose to speak on his behalf.
    Not good, not good at all.

  2. Papa Dom
    March 23, 2018

    So Mr Joseph, any employer can stall talks with the unions indefinitely and there is nothing the workers can do because there is no dispute? I am wondering whether such unjustified prolonged talks is not tantamount to a dispute.

  3. Toto
    March 23, 2018

    Yeah, yeah Achille Joseph. The union action was premature was it? But the P.M. Reaction was mature then was it? You have plenty negative to say about the disrespected union members but nothing about the the honorary doctor contempt for the workers. He has forgotten his roots, the place he came from.

  4. Captain Obvious
    March 23, 2018

    How much did they pay you to abandon your duty to the people’s interest?

  5. St. Joe
    March 22, 2018

    It is people like you who keep Dominica in the precarious situation that it is in today. Can you list 10 things that the DLP has done to improve the lives of Dominicans after 20 years in office?

  6. Massacre
    March 22, 2018

    No strike is premature . It is always up to the ones who are affected to decide when and where to go on strike.
    So I fully support the people for going out there to express their constitutional right to withdraw their services once they feel aggrieved .
    It is who in the kitchen that feels the heat!

  7. Frank Talker
    March 22, 2018

    I listened to misinformed people on Q95FM today bash Mr Joseph simply because he refused to make public his thoughts on the comments made by the PM on the strike at DASPA. Listening to Matt today, one would swear that Mr Joseph said, “I fully support every word spoken by the PM.” DASPA is a member of the Dominica Employers’ Federation, so how de heck people expect Joseph to condemn DASPA and the PM’s statement. Even if the PM spoke some unwise words, that is not the concern of the DEF. Their concern is the srtike and not what Skerrit said afterwards. I found Joseph to have been quite wise when he asked DASPA to prioritise the dialogue with DPSU.

  8. KID ON THE BLOCK
    March 22, 2018

    According to Matt, he is the only one who seems to be BLOWING HOT AIR. Whenever he has an interview with someone and the person doesn’t seem to be going his way or supporting what he( Matt ) is interested in accomplishing, the person who he is interviewing or questioning is blowing HOT and COLD.
    Matt you must stop that BS you doing. Respect peoples point of view as you would want them to do the same to you. As a KID, all I see and learn form you is biasness. Remember without the listening audience participation your show has no interest.

  9. KID ON THE BLOCK
    March 22, 2018

    Those on STRIKE should not be paid for the period THEY were absent from work.
    Mr. Letang , Hope YOU paid attention to paragraphs 2 AND 3 of the advice given by the DEF and educate your members and stop the BS you trying. There can NEVER EVER another 1979 like STRIKE in this country. Try it and see. We jailing ALL of you ALL. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

    • Grandbay
      March 22, 2018

      You are a sad case in Dominica. Keeping it down .
      Skerritt must go!

  10. stupes
    March 22, 2018

    Dr. Joseph should answer: how many times in the past has the union attempted to meet with the DASPA CEO?

    This wasn’t the first time. Just imagine this is the second triennium they have had no negotiations etc so whats his point?

    • kingman
      March 22, 2018

      Was there a registered dispute between the DPSU and DASPA??
      If the answer is no, then DPSU industrial action was wrong. Mr. Letang is allowing his political bias and hate of the government to mislead the union; his performance needs to be evaluated and necessary action taken, I personally think its time for him to go!!!!

      • Jack Sprat
        March 22, 2018

        Just curious ….if they don’t meet, this qualifies to declare a dispute?

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