The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) has begun the process of mobilizing its members to have measures in place to speed up salary negotiations with government.
On Wednesday morning a press conference was held at the DPSU building on Valley Road where the union expressed dissatisfaction with the process so far.
In fact, the General Secretary of the DPSU, Thomas Letang said, “The government is not interested.”
The DPSU said salary negotiations with government for the 2012/2015 should have already started, but according to Letang there are no indications from government when the process will begin.
He said the DPSU is now on a vigorous mobilization process to rectify the problem.
“After reviewing a number of factors, we are proposing salary increase of three percent to four percent and three percent respectively for the triennium 2012/2015,” Letang explained. “In 2000-2001 we got no salary increase, in 2001-2002, two percent and 2002- 2003, no salary increase. On an average for this triennium 2000- 2003, the increase was .67 percent.”
He continued, “For the triennium 2003- 2006 that was a wage freeze. From 2006-2009, three percent in the first year, one percent in the second year and two percent in the third year, an average of two percent for the triennium. 2009- 2012 we got an average of 1.84, less than two percent … 2010-2011, one percent and 2011-2012, 1.5 percent .”
Letang revealed that on average public officers have been paid salary increases of 1.13 percent from 2000-2012.
Letang said that it is “unjust and unfair” to make demands solely on public officers, “who like the rest, have personal financial commitments and obligations.”
“Public officers are usually the one who suffers the most when an economy is not doing well…they pay taxes before anyone else does,” he said. “Because of their employment status they are denied certain privileges, such as engaging in additional ways in gaining employment.”
Letang said the DPSU has taken many factors into consideration while preparing its proposals and is fully convinced they are judicious and rational.
“Among some of the things the union is requesting is the government makes a contribution to the medical insurance scheme that we have,” he said. “We look at the whole question of duty free on building material, the question of allocation of land for housing development…amendment to the pension act, allowance and accommodation to pharmacists.”
Meantime, Letang made mention of certain activities taking place Dominica which indicate that the resources are available to give an increase to public officers.
“Negotiations are never easy, you go to negotiations and government always begins with a zero. They always cry to you about the state of the economy. These are not things they say to you before. You hear throughout the year that the economy is improving, you hear that compared to other countries we are doing better, but when you get to the negotiation table as if we are talking to a different set of people,” he noted.
He added, “We look at the different projects that are being funded, and some of those projects these are not projects that were there long. These are projects that just popped up and funds are given for those projects … the fact is with so many projects popping up and large sums are being provided for those projects, when we take all those things into consideration we are saying that there is money to pay public officers.”
As part of its mobilization drive, the DPSU intends to keep the public informed on its position. Also it will be visiting members at different workplaces to hold discussions with them, putting various advertisements in the media and utilizing its radio program.
When members are sufficiently mobilized, the membership will decide on the next move to be taken.
The DPSU will take “certain actions” to let government know that it is not satisfied, according to Letang.
As we create the new Dominica, perhaps WAWU, NWU and other unions must now call their own press conferences political party style, to tell us what proposals they have put forward to DOMLEC, LIME, HHV Whitchurch and other employers. The laws governing industrial relations should also now be thrown in the garbage bins and allow collective bargaining to be done in press conferences and be based on public opinion.
A new way!
Even if Mr. Letang call for strike public officers would not have the balls to turn out… They are afraid. Right in the public service there is victimization!!!! So they are afraid of losing their jobs, afraid of what might happen to them but they have to keep in mind that if they don’t fight for their rights it will be lost forever!!! Think of what the future generation will have to face.
Mr letang is the most lazy Union leader. and now election is on the horizon with his cheap campagn tatics want to strike. well public servants not stupid we will not let hyou lead us into your cheap politics.
labour ka twvay
Letang you want results get into the mud. The corrupt politicians are doing everything possible to bribe voters and they don’t care whether it is blatant,they care not about the under table kick backs and the total disrespect for our taxes. So Letang start flinging mud
But it seems to me every election that psu boss always hav an issue with salary increase …. what about sometime during the five year period where you can negotiate better why is every election you comin with dat….eh mr.ltang.
By now, Mr. Letang should realize the Skeritt led Administration is playing a waiting game, cat and mouse with him. Skeritt is presently emptying all the money in the Government Treasury on all those projects, free money, Red Clinic, free housing and other gifts. Should Skeritt loose the general elections, it might take another six to nine months for the UWP to get things under control. I doubt the public Servants will want to wait another nine months in order to get their increases, therefore, what will follow is pandemonium. My advice to Letang is to secure the increase by all means possible, before the Skeritt led Administration calls the general election.
No disrespect but the truth is it takes dome effort to get square pegs forced into round holes to move freely and indepently. Sometimes a dynamite is needed to dislodge a jam. Is Letang willing to be the one planting the explosive? It seem like for years Letang has been playing passive defence.
Letang success is not necessarily measured by the number of times you fall but by the number of times you got up and keep going. If an attempt to rally the members did not work you have to keep trying and being innovative. As leader you cannot be fearful of failure.
So stop looking for sympathy and claim the responsibility.
Do your job which is to lead.
In my opinion Letang had several opportunities to capture the interest of the members. For example when Charles Saverin came out and supported 0% ; the administration raised their salary by 50%. During these times the DPSU should have gone on a campaign taking out ads in the news paper, radio ,printing flyer socizl media letting the country know what is going on.
how can you compare infrastructure spending to payroll???
next thing we will find out he has a degree in accounting lol
You better give DNO a light bulb moment. She / He certainly
needs to wake up or stop taking that thing (medical or recreational). I can see smoke emanating from his ears sooner or later it might come from his eyes. And the smoke is grey just like when they voting for a new pope. lol!
It’s gray so you know the answer is no new pope yet lol
Are you saying that the blogger DNO needs Accounting 101 or Accounting for Dummies? or ids
Let me tell you people at PWC. The Govt. is the sole shareholder of your company and they will close it down if the win the election. They would have done so already but they know how many votes that would cost them. Believe me, they don’t want that company because it is costing them money.
So where are he teachers and policemen in all this!!!!!They do’t want salary increase too….The problem with you union leaders is that you blow hot and then cold too much…MEMBERS HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN YOUR REPRESENTATION!!!!!
Skerrit just putting two fingers up to you and your civil servants. He says he can not afford a pay increase but at the same time he is boasting a bout a NEP programme giving people non existing jobs only for votes. Guess who is laughing all the way to the bank.
“In fact, the General Secretary of the DPSU, Thomas Letang said, “The government is not interested.”
That’s not true Mr. Letang. We all know that
government is the best we have, since we got our
independence.
How much did you get in the “Red Clinic”
on Wednesday to talk that nonsense?
Well, Skerrit really have people in his back pocket.
He can poom on them when ever he wants, no problem.
BLOCK the damn road at PWC right before the small bypass to the back portion (closer to the port) and don’t leave until everyone is paid in FULL with cash. Skerro don’t care because he knows those votes are lost so he spending the money in Wesley Constituency and elsewhere. No violence just call the troops and block the damn road!
That is the only way he will pay. Believe me that is the only action he fears because roseau will be shut down in both directions. Too many damn meetings that yield no results. Come on Letang stop playing dotish in the name of diplomacy.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
the Espoire mal papye syndrome like ebola.
Once you get the virus ur chance becomes slim to none.
” A promise is a comfort to a full!” When will Letang learn that Skerrit is only playing him and the good folks at PWC? Skerro and Blackie know that these PWC employee votes are already lost so they don’t care. The rather use the money for ground breaking political gimmicks and spread to handouts to those who remain vulnerable to this kind of political traps.
Its either Letang is slyly playing along or just does not get it. Everyone else knows and can see the games being played with these people money and livelihood but he keep arranging meetings just to plan the other meeting which yields nothing. Compeer Letang, the only people who continuously do the same things and expect different results are fools according to the great Einstein. STOP being so dam naive under the guise of diplomacy and call a general strike.
Do like the folks in Hong Kong (umbrella revolution) and BLOCK the PWC HIGHWAY on a Monday and don’t leave until the people are paid in full in CASH! Skerro will pay because he does not want that to happen. He just gave Malzaire $500,00.00 plus money spending like tower in Wwsley constituency from a brand new truck. No fighting but BLOCK the damn road right by the port so no one can use the back road behind PWC to enter or leave Roseau! As simple as that! Sometimes governments only understand civil disobedience. But rest assured that CHANGE is a MUST!
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Aggressive ,( if you are asked( even if I think you should not be) would u come help make up the numbers?
I agree with all you stated but ur presence is needed.
Trust you will put on ur aggressive and assertive accouterment .
NO ands, ifs or buts!!! Like a Roman Soldier I will be there with my fellow countrymen seeking what is rightfully owed to them. If Letang is smart, he will call on all truckers, contractors and bus drivers that are owed large sums by the government to join them in non-violent protest. Skerro does not want that to happen and that is when he will listen and pay up.
You can be spending like tower on new (ground breakings) projects while ignoring to honor your responsibilities to pay the folks who have toiled and labored and are now beggars. You can’t give freely to all at the RED CLINIC and Wesley constituency, and forget those who have actually worked hard to feed their family. You can’t ask others to sacrifice for love of country while you play games with peoples livelihood!
Like Hong Kong, we need an umbrella revolution. Turn the PWC Highway into a camping ground until demands are met. CASH money to those owed….no more promises.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Letang takes offense when the leadership of the union is criticized. How can when in any institution leadership is held responsible for its successes and failures. Letang is now pretending that the leadership just got a revelation that the membership is fast asleep and maybe on red clinic medication. The truth is PSU and it’s leadership as required just as intimidated as the members.
Had the leaders lead the members will follow. A series of public meeting dealing with the issues and the continuous disrespect from the government would definitely get people to move. CSA of the 70’story went all over with public meetings let people know what is going on.
The leadership must be prepared to be labeled anti government or even blue but they ficus must be on the prize
That’s History my boy Franz Fanon.
We had cojones then.
The world has changed over the last 40 plus yrs. It appears
Dominicans have less cojones than B4 . Today gays have more rights than straight people no offense. We are all created in his image and liking the good word says.
Less cojones in civil servants than there was yesterday. Even the females back then manifested signs of having lots of cojones or testersterone than those today.
We have sons and daughters only in name( OINs) just like in Labour in name only LINOs Assertive not aggressive Fanz fanon, ,not a herd follower Annonymos etc etc talk is cheap checking you guys will only manifest the aforementioned lots of estrogen no to little Testersterone smallcojones.
growing larger cojones stops at a particular stage in life.
if you miss that phase there isn’t any second changes Lol!
yu either have it or you don’t. It was in abundance in the 70’s.
Ooops! almost forgot Charlo is still there ask him the procedure. I am certain he has a protocol on that!
Out of the thin air like that? something missing DNO
Intransigent ‘s stuff does not make sense out of the blue like that? Nah you faux pas there you did not print a portion I guess.
Mr. Letang, I love and respect you. You have demonstrated strength over the years and we applaud you. However, there comes a time in life when one has to take a seat and allow someone else to take the steering wheel. Skerrit knows very well that civil servants cannot open their mouth even if they are bleeding on the inside and they sure are scared of demonstrating. Your strength is as strong as the support you have behind you and at the moment you have none. Furthermore, Skerrit has no respect for you and he has people thinking you are a weak leader. So please graciously resign and allow someone else to try their luck.
I stand to be corrected, wasn’t an article printed recently stating the prime minister said Dominica’s economy is doing well?
Yet Mr. Letang said, “Public officers are usually the one who suffers the most when an economy is not doing well…”
So which is it…?
Hey confused!
You are not alone. The entire country minus the Neo Labour and the opposition. They are all after the $$ regardless of where it comes from .Neo DLP has it and don’t want to lose it. Team DA had it lost it and want it again.
civil servants want some of the wellness of the economy, supporters of the Neos getting all via the red clinic.
None supporters on life water as we say locally, crying for Dr.Medard the visiting French specialist to add some $ into their life water bag. his nurses in the various constituencies administer small doses from time to time.
after those retards police going to vote this mage’ government. they doe have noting but they voting labour , they doe have land and house but they bawling labour , they getting zero zero zero but they still bawling labourr sacre garsss!!!!!
Is NOT Layba that make you mad,
it is UWPEEE that do that to you!
You may have said it before, after and still will say it. I just need you to get some sense and understand that DPSU is not Mr. Letang and Mr. Letang is not DPSU. All of us belong to DPSU, coward. Allow me to remind you that unity is strength. Staying behind and making such comment is ineffective. You are younger come and take the mantle. Some of you just like to stay behind the scene and criticize. You do not even have the fortitude to come to a meeting and show your present much less to make an effective point. Remember that a chain is as weak as its link. The PM realizes that people like you are weak and you are helping to kill the union that is why he is doing that. What goes around comes around in double and treble, they can take all the increase for themselves but one thing I know they will pay for the evil that they are doing to public officers. The wickedness that a man or woman does he or she will pay for it and it grand style.
Mr Letang I must admit that many of us have not fully appreciated the tremendous difficulty that you are faced with. We need to take time to understand that Letang is trying to jump start an abandoned vehicle with no battery and no access to an empty gas tank. Lets just call the vehicle an MPSM ( My Parl Rep Sent Me). Suffice to say after 15 years of a corrupt administration the membership of the DPSU is essentially a well groomed MPSM parked and abandoned by self serving politicians – a vehicle with no battery and an empty gas tank.
As the chief mechanic Letang is trying to find a solution and I applaud his effort as ineffective as it may be. As the chief mechanic Letang is fully aware of what he has on his hands and it is regrettable that he has to resort to working around the problem as oppose to working directly on the problem.
As chief mechanic if you don’t have access to the tank and hood you may have to break and open. In other words Mr Letang must now realize that in order to motivate the people he must be willing to be forceful with the truth even if he is labeled partisan. This is where it is fair to compare Letang’s method with that of Chares Saverin’s. Although Saverin had been selfishly and continue to be motivated by partisanship Charles was not afraid to break and open the door.
So as chief mechanic I would like to see Letang breaking the doors down instead of driving around the issue . Say the things that are true and will motivate people. Be specific and hammer the truth home. In the article Mr Letang seem to be dancing around the truth. Go hard at the hypocrisy of the administration – name names , identify the projects, call out the examples of waste and vote buying- the NEP, the IPO, the bid rigging and kick back scheme etc.
As leader you must be willing to spread the accelerant and light the match and let the fire burn.
Is this the President former CSA boss alias de Iyatola disguise as Mamizoo blogging? lol interesting!
who Knows!
is this a sabotage of Medard in the making? DA is getting active again someone is working on the battertless and void of fuel D/can car..
people get nuts sometimes and do strange things . look de Iyatola giving UN speech out siade the protocol. one never know. he de ayatollah was once a diplomat. Maybe he is missing that spotlight as President is reduced to a figure head like a governor pre-independence. drink tea with tea biscuits meeting visiting heads of nations is not enough for a guy who once lite fires. .Restless teen syndrome might be in the process.
Letang ,Meet with President Charlo like the guy in the bible at midnight. Don’t know if he can sneak you in or he come out to meet you to give you the formula. ” How to take down a DLP government. He has it. Am not sure how it’s gonna work if it will be easier than 79 as it’s a hybrid now.
One should not compare the civil servants union of the 70’s to now. Mr. Letang cannot negotiate or make
demands without the support of the members.
Most of them do not show up at meetings.
During that era, the civil servants were anti- the political party who was in command (Patrick John).
That is why the opposition got Charles Savarin to use the
civil servants to put them in power.
After gaining leadership of the country, the Freedom Party repaid Savarin by appointing him Ambassador to Brussels, because he would be ineffective under his government.
Currently Skerrit have them wrap around his finger. They can complain but dare not demonstrate.
If they do, the civil servants know that he will order
” his police ” to shoot them down-“they fraud”.
If Dominicans allow Skerrit regime to get back into power you all will be in serious trouble .
First,he is going to change the constitution to appoint himself as President.
In addition to building loyalty and dependability with the
“Red Clinic”, he will build his army since he is suspicious of the police force.
Then voila! Dominica will really be his additional property.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Mr Letang I believe you need a new financial advisor. The mere fact that government is spending on projects isn’t sufficient evidence that they can afford to pay a salary increase. All of these projects are a one time expenditure whereas, a salary increase will be a recurring expenditure (hope you get what I mean by that).
or Investigative reader lol!
I agree with Letang on the many projects being undertaken by a government who at the same time cries “broke” to its servants. We see monies being spent and given to churches to fix their roofs and to village councils to repair roads. On the other hand, the DPSU has to justify its claims and not rely on expenditure elsewhere in the country. Some public officers do work their butts out and should be rewarded, but others should have been terminated many years ago.
All this empirical data available to Letang through the years, yet he ignored it. It is refreshing to see he has now brought it to the fore so that the Civil Servants can get a true picture. Boasts of how great this economy is; money is no problem; half a million to one church, yet they can’t get anything above 0%. 1977; 1979 civil servants. Agitate for what is justly yours!
DPSU — As elections draw near, this is your time to utilize leverage in order to get what you deserve…otherwise, after the elections are over your leverage is lost and you will likely remain in a dissatisfied position.
I travel to pittsburg once /month never met any D/cans where are you? would be nice to meet another D/can out there Blue /green/ red no difference D/can screw their politics we will get some smoke meat green fig et bottle of DA rum lol c etc I can walk with the ingredients
Skerrit, Skerrit put the country first
This Gov`t is not interested in increasing salaries to public officers. Statistic indicated that from day one. They said we are doing better than the other OECS countries but we are least paid in the region.
Parry, I would advise Mr. Letang, to stop begging the Skeritt led Administration for any increase. Parry should further advise Mr. Letang to encourage the public servants to vote the DLP Government out of office. UWP Team Dominica is offering them an increase, therefore, they should think of their families and themselves.
dah tag tah ta tah ta La tab tah tab LA LA LA.
ge 
neralbstrike I say.All Civil Servants stay home!
the Police shall not work!1 The nurses shall not work ,the doctors shall not work.The firemen shall not work.This is the perfect time Yo help the laws of karma along.Charles Savarin wanted 100% increase when he led the PSU now 000%
In the jungle, the mighty jungle the skerrit Roars Go to Hell You bastards!
. Looks like skerr needs a hormone injection. Then he will be able to understand ‘climate change’ and the effects of zero zero zero.
agree with & like ur blog name but where does a hormone injection fit here? LMAO & real Loud.
DA have all kinds. oh lord help us. What does the future hold for us When ur Gov’t is corrupt, insultive, rude, add urs reader and your opposition is ……………………. fill in the blank.
Where are the real able void of corrupt incline able ,will gone? The gov’t side packed with guys who cannot speak starting with the CEO to those who talk troupe with vocal diarrhea on radio with over analysis of toutes barguy.(can they take back is qualifications?) to an idealist opposition.
Boy are in for it down the road. In the likely event UWP wins as they did in 95( when according to a poto DFP contractor: “The horses are out of the Stable”).We certainly not want to unite under the banner of one country- one people.It would be chaos,riot roti.Just as post 79 I see a Neo DLP coupe,an open one not a palalace coup as ours in 79 was coined. After Pierro’s death Skerritism spearheaded by a well known cabal foistit’s way into the authentic DLP rank & filejust as they attempted in NY at the conference when the Beautiful Baroness was found in DA’s chair. Under mamo’s early reign there were 2 coup attempts. I see it again when I look I see two P.Ms of similar character one to a lesser extent. but it’s going down if an accident were to occur and The Solid Team does it again( idoubt but like the Lottery one never knows) got to be in it to win it my friends.
If the Solid team pulls it off then Charlo good bye Eddo is installed by his hand picked LL as president while Neo DLO (Labour in name only )plans the coup. mark my words.
Alias goat mouth/Lang cabwit
You can blame DNO, as the clause preceding the (hormone thing) was deleted. It was not against the disclaimer and no one name was mentioned. Next thing I read their story re Dr.Johnson and ebola and which was ordered to be retracted I was shocked and doubted the article because I knew their could never be a such a response in a matter of hours of the America news. M.O.H too complacent and inefficient. It would take them a year to talk on the issue. Look at the chikugunya saga.
Public officers may engage in employment outside normal working hours,subject to conflict of interest engagement.It is not expressly prohibited by the Public Service Act 1991. Many of the professionals now do this-in medicine,law,accountancy, engineering and in farming,taxi,self-employment.There are also available opportunities in gardening/landscaping/carpentry/mason/tailoring/painting/jounalism etc.etc.
Get up and get.
Fine but that should not be an excuse for government not paying them decent wages in the first place.
No more that old argument about world recession. In the U.K. that is long over. From today the min. wage there is £6.50/hr, over $29.00 in our money and their economy is booming. Pay your people Skerrit, don’t enslave them.
Anonymous you forgot to add that they can do like the politicians – partner with crab hunters to build villas, and houses and sell passports and birth certificates to buy motor cars and to take trips to have suits made in far and wide places – Public Officers do not see the opportuities politicians are taking advantage of.
Don’t you think if public officers were being paid a just and fair salary they would not NEED to seek other employment to supplement the PITTANCE they are getting??
Letang take a page from President Charles Saverin
” Boots on the Ground” too much talking.
He taught you how to demonstration therefore show him and his administration that you have learnt well.
SMH
Man ! next time just say cost of living has gone up over 15 yrs and the increases in salaries have not been pegged to it.
that crap you just uttered make reason for comparing you with ur P.M Peepip and Ian D passa parle!
The man said food ,petrol, fish and .. gone up as if fish is not food.
damn!
But mr. Letang, we are so tired of hearing that. I agree for the salary increase but Skerrit not taking you serious, maybe he thinks you don’t have balls. Call your members out on strike. They may say they can not afford to strike and if they do not come out you may lose. But if you don’t take action you are sure to lose. I don’ think you have any option. Be a man and if you have to go down at least go down fighting.
Jojo as my friend would say when we were little /small after dat now?
Mr. Letang, Let me give you a piece of advice. Mobilize your members and try to convince them that their first loyalty is to themselves through their union. That will give you the clout to bargain more forcefully. You then use that position of strength to leverage benefits from either the DLP or UWP. The party that is prepared to give you more for your union is the one you and your membership throw your support behind.
Until you are able to talk as a unit and have the government of the day respect you as a UNITED front, you will get nowhere.
As I read somewhere a long time ago: You don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.
You will only get what you want, if your opponent thinks you hold the aces.
I have said it before, I will say it even more forcefully, Mr. Letang should resign as Secretary of the PSU and allow someone who is younger and more aggressive to lead the Union. Mr. Letang is reminding Public Servants, they have received an average of below 2% increase in fifteen years. The Skeritt Administration is boasting that the NEP program has yielded over 1000 people employed. Skeritt is boasting his Government has spent over $30 million in six months on infrastructure, in order to spend
that kind of money, it is the same public servants who have to set up the programs. Millions of dollars are spent on persons, all they have to do is walk up the Financial Center. In my opinion,Letang is weak, the man should be either a monk, priest or a leader of a church.
I understand but do not agree with you Letang can’t make public servants strike .He will call a strike see how many will stay away from work .They are fearful of loosing their jobs they have children to take care of and you should know Dominicans are crooks Lets do it they say, then when you step out you do not see them. No young and aggressive person can force them they will treat this young one just like they are treating Letang Be fair not a critic
If I was Letang I would fire myself or better yet I would fire the entire membership of the PSU – because they are non-supportive of their Union – fire all of them Letang ; what a set of two face, bold face, no face, lazy officers that wouldnt even support themselves on the call of Letang; whether you bring a young Letang or a young Saverin the Union is as powerful as its membership. Lov.Doc
They can take 50 percent increase and they cannot give. For love of country take a reduction and give the hard working civil servants an increase
no they can’t give but all the development all boasting government doing and speaking about is through the same cannot give Civil Servants it happening through – is the ‘cannot give’ that making happen- emmmmh! ungrateful or blind?