DPSU head trashes statements made by former Cabinet Secretary

Letang (left), Gregoire

General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang is describing statements made by former Cabinet Secretary and Dominica’s current Ambassador to the OECS, Felix Gregoire, as ‘extremely childish.’

He made that remark during a live interview on the Hot Seat Programme aired on Q-95 on Thursday morning.

At a town hall meeting in Pointe Michel on Wednesday Gregoire warned public officers that there are a lot of people who have no interest in the public service and public officers, so they must be aware of what is going on.

“They will use the public service but they have no interest in the public service,” Gregoire stated. “So public officers what I am saying here is for you, public officers be aware of what is going to happen.”

The DPSU will be hosting a rally for public officers on Thursday and Gregoire stated that “law breakers” will show up at the event.

“There are law breakers who will end up at the meeting; they have shown us they are law breakers,” he stated. “I am not lying. So if you leave your common sense at your home and you follow law breakers, that is your business. The laws are there and I always advise people before they act, check the law to see what the law says.”

Gregoire also stated that things like salary negotiations take time.

“They will start high but you will start low because you know what you have and what you don’t have,” he stated. “That is what negotiation is all about, it is not fighting, it is sitting down and discussing: you come you make a proposal, they make a proposal, they go and they talk, you come and you talk as well, you get back together. So these things take a long time and don’t let people fool you, negotiations take a long time, they always took a long time.”

But Letang said Gregoire’s statements are immature since the rally is not going to be about salary negotiations alone.

“This is a very childish, immature and stupid statement,” Letang stressed. “He is my good friend but I am surprised at that statement. The point I am trying to make is that this rally was not organized just to discuss salary negotiation or because of salary negotiation. For Mr. Gregoire to be out there saying this, he is definitely misleading the people.”

Letang explained that in December 2015, in his capacity as General Secretary he was very concerned about the lack of togetherness and solidarity among public officers and in December 2016 the union agreed that they needed to plan a solidarity rally.

“We needed to have a solidarity rally where we can bring employees; we can bring our members together to try to let them understand that there is the need for solidarity and for unity,” he stated.

He revealed that the proposal was made at an executive meeting, “and it went down very well.”

“On the 14th of December we prepared a concept document on that, everything was approved by the executive,” Letang said. “That had absolutely nothing to do with negotiation and from that time the date was set to have the rally on the 16th of March.”

He went on to say that a lot of developments have taken place since, including meetings with the government and two negotiation sessions.

“Naturally my friends if you are going to have a meeting of that nature with your members the status of salary negotiations will be on the agenda,” he remarked.

Letang made it clear that the union has not invited anybody in a personal capacity, or individually, to attend the rally.

“What we have done is that we have extended an invitation to the general public,” Letang explained.

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43 Comments

  1. Tjebe fort
    March 17, 2017

    Letang only asking for the same thing as Skerrit, more money! Not for himself but his members. So what is the problem Felix?

  2. freedom fighter
    March 16, 2017

    Mr. Letang stand your ground and you have no explaining to do; not to gregoise nor anybody else. What negotiations Gregoise is talking about? 0% 0 % 0% is not negotiation.

  3. 000 percent
    March 16, 2017

    Gregoire, which law? no law no constitution.

  4. will
    March 16, 2017

    Mr. Gregoire I am truly appalled by your gibberish and the way you just took me on a sickening merry-go-round with these statements. I concur with Mr. Letang. Your comments were way off base and without any substance for a man of your calibre and in your capacity. Excuse me

  5. Joshua for P M #2
    March 16, 2017

    The union have a rally, there is to be discussions on salary negotiations, there is to have discussions on none salary subjects, there is to be time for the union themselves to share solidarity messages, two hours from 4.30 to 6.30 cannot have enough time, given the division that exist between the general membership and the contributions that have to come from them to vent their frustration.
    That action demonstrates weakness on behalf of the union but more so the leadership of the union. ,

  6. concern citizen
    March 16, 2017

    Well I strike already in 1979 and I received 121% by a man who know how to organize a strike, and some even received double salary
    Government is still owing me my 5% they took from me in 2003-04 and they are not giving it back to me but they can give Thousand $ 5, 8, 10 to people who just sit by the road side all day long, just to keep him there to do more corruption I saw it my self an they put the money on a fix deposit at the bank

  7. CIA Agent
    March 16, 2017

    “There are law breakers who will end up at the meeting; they have shown us they are law breakers. I am not lying. So if you leave your common sense at your home and you follow law breakers, that is your business.”

    Mr. Gregoire, your words of caution would have served the People of Dominica much better if they had been directed to the PM while he was involved with Alireza Zibahalat Monfared, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Babak Zanjani, Ng Lap Seng, and others who are known international “law breakers”.

  8. Zor Zor
    March 16, 2017

    0-0-0% that looking like me eh Mr. Gregoire?

    Making $1400 a month after 4 years in the service… I know NEP people making $1500 and even $2500 just to show up and play game on government computer….

    People that couldn’t get a job because ther were lacking in qualifications and now they making more money than me… without even 4 CXC…

    Chebe fortje … look for yours I looking for mine. I don’t want 3 and 4 salaries like some of you just enough to survive.

    Tell me why the Chief Personnel Officer of the Public Service is also a PS in a Ministry that for you to check…

    Too much zoz-zor in Dominica – Public servants not in that bracket.

  9. March 16, 2017

    Good luck with that UWP meeting today there.

  10. March 16, 2017

    Why does the headline read that Letang trashes Gregoire? We were unaware of the statement of Ambassador Gregoire before this; there was no article prior to this one telling us what he stated. But as usual, DNO will spin things.

    First they make it about Letang, when clearly the meat of the story was someone else’s remarks. Secondly, the writers diminish the man’s position- HE IS THE AMBASSADOR TO THE OECS, mentioning that he’s a former CabSec is unnecessary, and the mere fact that they chose to highlight that in the headlines tells us once again, that DNO is an instrument of UWP. DNO becomes less credible by the day.

    • Anon
      March 16, 2017

      Well get off their site and go and comment somewhere else.

      I hope I won’t see more comments from you beginning today.

    • March 17, 2017

      Well go,you traitor

  11. John Simeon
    March 16, 2017

    Thomas Letang! Go learn to speak properly. Your emphasis is always on the wrong syllable. Listen to yourself a bit man. Oh by! Teachers Union. What are you doing to get Mr. Letang to speak properly?

    • viewsexpressed
      March 18, 2017

      Have you listened to your so called Skerrit lately? After almost ten years as PM, he I still struggling in decorum, poor in public speaking, pronouncement, grammar, struggling tone etc. lately? He is only good with one aspect of the English language, which has hurt him to this day and it is …”Go to Hell, Go to Hell, none of all you damn business……”….also.. Poor speech.
      “No Law, no constitution, will stop me, this Skerrit from being Prime Mininister…”
      He has been this “Odd Mininister” and still growing. How inept this man is.

  12. March 16, 2017

    Letang, call this what it truly is… a UWP rally!

  13. Roseau.
    March 16, 2017

    What does Gregoire mean by Latang does not know what is going to happen to Public servants. Is there something in the pipeline for public servants? I smell a rat in this statement.
    It seems like everybody in DLP is a mouth piece for Skerro.

  14. Zero, Zero, Zero
    March 16, 2017

    Civil Servants, enlighten yourselves:

    Minimum wage in the other OECS countries:
    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)
    St. Kitts and Nevis – $8.00 per hour (EC$320 per week)

    stlucianewsonline.com. (2014, September 5). St. Kitts and Nevis’ minimum wage highest in the OECS. https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/st-kitts-and-nevis-minimum-wage-highest-in-the-oecs-st-lucia-at-4/

    • Zero, Zero, Zero
      March 16, 2017

      So if you all want to stay and listen to Feltixx still, that’s allu…

    • Wickedness in high places
      March 18, 2017

      Dominicans don’t care about this. They love the dimples and the white skinned First Lady whose bread is well buttered whilst they Sousay sel

  15. No No
    March 16, 2017

    Give me a brake Latang. I’m happy that a child could see through your gimmick. You accusations are baseless and without substance. Why did you choose the propaganda radio station? WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVE? Mr. Felix Gregory could express himself at anytime. No we will not heed your call. What have you done since elected? The demise of our rest on your unprofessional attitude.

    • Me and Me alone
      March 16, 2017

      Why is it call a propaganda station by people like you ? is it because it reveals the truth ? so DBS and Kari are the truth stations? You mean a radio station where the BIN Bobol was revealed and so much more? You all never seize to amaze me . Pure brainwashed labourites.Even when the truth is staring you all in the face all yo ture a blinded eyes yet you all try to correct the children and tell them don’t lie don’t steal. Please .

      • March 16, 2017

        It is a propaganda station, you love lies so it doesn’t matter to you. By the way kairi is also a propaganda station so don’t get offended when Q95 is refered to as such.

  16. televangelists are false prophets
    March 16, 2017

    what is he talkijng about? is he warning us of what charles savarin did in the 70’s to aggitate the government and call for strikes? Gregoire have to keep the hand that feeding him satisfied. so he will always say crap like that. meanwhile what has he done in terms of OECS relations ? nothing.

  17. Doc. Love
    March 16, 2017

    I agree with you, Mr. Letang, Gregoire is very childish and lacks credibility. If he believes members of the PSU will be in the company of law breakers, be a man, tell them who the law breakers are. If he is referring to members of the UWP and in particular Mr. Linton who publicly said he will be attending the rally in solidarity with the members of the PSU, what is he afraid of, go ahead be honest, tell the members what is on his mind. He can use his diplomacy when he is in his office, not at a town hall meeting of the DLP.

  18. Chanter
    March 16, 2017

    People keep the prayers rolling. The prayers have dem dayparlaying.

  19. March 16, 2017

    Letang, you are having a political rally!!! Did you invite any official from the DLP to address this rally? What is the purpose of having the leader of the opposition address this rally? The opposition leader in recent times have uttered violent rhetoric as he called for Skeritt to resign, how can such an individual help your cause?

    • John-Don't Know
      March 16, 2017

      Your are very very deceptive in your attempts to convince readers that Letang invited Linton to speak. This is an absolute FALSE and you people need Jesus for trying to deceive people like that. So you don’t want civil servants to go rally in solidarity for their interests? Nurses, Firemen, Police officers for proper working conditions and benefits? Teachers that have to use their little salary to buy stationary materials to teach your children and at the end of their day, they can’t pay their bills? How many public servants have to face Fast Cash and the like because they are all tapped out? And yet their beloved Government, who should be looking out for their interest offers – 0, 0, 0% salary increase? I mean are we really Dominica and Dominicans or are we Skerittitans…

      • March 16, 2017

        Are you saying that the leader of the opposition was not invited to speak at the rally or will not be speaking at the rally? If such is the case I stand corrected.

    • Titiwi
      March 16, 2017

      Mr. Letang has made it absolutely clear that he did not invite any politician. What he did say is that all Dominicans are welcome, regardless of their political hue. I am astonished though because a labour party in principle should support trade unions since they come from the same womb. This begs the question, does Dominica’s labour party – and it is not for nothing it is called the labour party – truly support the ordinary workers, labouweurs in our local creole?

    • Wickedness in high places
      March 18, 2017

      Damn blasted LIAR!! Next Erica will be worse

  20. LOVER GIRL
    March 16, 2017

    i am wondering if Gregory believe public officer are foolish people ? are they children who do not have a choice of what daddy say go ” well if public officers do not stand up for a good raise of pay and listen you
    will your nonsense while your Salary is over $10.000 and you have no plans to retire . he will say any thing although he knows the state the country is in right now. do you want us pubic officers to beg daddy the prime Minister for food for our children so we will remain poor and weak without a voice .
    I have news for you Sir this is the reason we need to get paid for the work that we are doing so we will
    remain independent , Shame on you for not having confident in us as the brilliant people of Dominica .
    if we are so dumb it means we are all in the wrong jobs .
    we will show you and all the other puppets how brilliant we are .

    • March 16, 2017

      Mr. Gregoire has not said that civil servants should not get a raise, he is simple warning against people who have no interest in the civil service using it for their own political advantage.

  21. %
    March 16, 2017

    Gregoire you are SO CORRECT.Dominicans should know by now that you and Skerrit have NO interest for or in the public Officers of this failed state,managed by the Skerrit led DLP, and his gang..No wonder you spewed such garbage to your fools last night…I have dumped your cesspit of unadulterated filth in the ocean already…In the meantime i am 100% rerady for the RALLY THIS AFTERNOON,at the DPSU GROUNDS STARTING AT4.30pm. I shall be there before that time.

    • Is So
      March 16, 2017

      Is that news worthy DNO to have the highest official of the UWP disguise and address and advertise the UWP Propaganda machine. Yes I will also be there to laugh.

      • %
        March 16, 2017

        Your classical hypocrite is it worthy that a man implicated in stealing 2.8 billion dollars to be dodging the Iranian authorities at Morne Daniel, Dominica…Have you commented on that.??This has Diminica looking like a pariah state.THIS IS OF CONCERN TO ME.

    • Hey
      March 16, 2017

      % your sorry self need to get a paying job. I’m pretty sure Dr. HUCKSTER has an opening for you.

  22. Politics of Truth
    March 16, 2017

    DNO has it’s own angle. This is how bias is determined.
    DNO chose the headlines “DPSU head trashes statements made by former Cabinet Secretary”
    The subject really is”Former Cabinet Secretary advises Public Servants salary negotiations take time”
    Why DNO chooses on angle over another and the slant always or mostly favoring one side over another determines the bias of the editor.
    In the case of DNO they always slant everything against the government and in favour of the opposition.
    The proof is in the reading and just adding the numbers.
    This is a position DNO cannot defend.
    The are effectively an organ of the UWP.

    DNO is so biased the prefer to highlight an opinion instead of the facts.
    It is the opinion of Thomas Letang that the Former Secretary to the Cabinet is childish.
    It is a fact that salary negotiations take time.

    DNO is exposing their lack of balance.

  23. tweety
    March 16, 2017

    Proud of u Mr Latang you remind me of Malcolm X. Don’t be afraid. We fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in high places. What’s higher than the government of a country. Cover your self and go with God and they will not know what hit them. We don’t need another politician we need a true man of God to rebuke this high prest of a demon that is why nothing can touch the pm cuz we keep going at him as a man. Pray till something happens.

  24. Kent Charles
    March 16, 2017

    I can understand Mr. Gregoires point. After all, he must sing to the tune given by Skerrit and dance as well to the beat given. He like all of us know that once the guard changes, his reign will be over and the largess that they have been stock piling will come to an end.
    Skerrit must go.

    • John Simeon
      March 16, 2017

      And somebody else (blue supporter I suppose) will benefit from the largesse and even more that people like Mr. Gregoire is now enjoying. Remember Mamo had a firm grip on the Treasury. It took the UWP to free up the Treasury and offered innumerable contracts to blue operatives left right and centre. Labour Party learnt from them.

  25. Rasta
    March 16, 2017

    This is March 2017. I am not sure if there is a typographical error. Did Mr. Letang say that the idea for a Public Servant Solidarity rally was borne in December 2014.?

    • John-Don't Know
      March 16, 2017

      He said 2016

      • John Simeon
        March 16, 2017

        Letang explained that in December 2014, in his capacity as General Secretary he was very concerned about the lack of togetherness and solidarity among public officers and in December 2016 the union agreed that they needed to plan a solidarity rally.

        “We needed to have a solidarity rally where we can bring employees; we can bring our members together to try to let them understand that there is the need for solidarity and for unity,” he stated.

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