DPSU rejects gov’t second offer in salary negotiations

Thomas Letang

General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang, has stated the union will not accept a new offer that the government is tabling as they continue salary negotiation for the 2015-2018 triennium.

The government had initially offered a wage freeze for the period but the DPSU has flatly refused to accept it and has proposed a 15 percent increase. That the government did not accept.

According to Letang, the government is now offering the union zero percent increase in the first year, 50 percent of one month salary in the second year, and a three percent increase in the third year.

For the second year, Letang described the increase as a “one-time payment.”

“So whatever your salary is for one month, you will get 50 percent of that as a one-time payment,” said Letang referring to the salary increase of the second year.

Speaking on Kairi FM on Tuesday afternoon, Letang stated that although the DPSU has not held an executive meeting to discuss the matter, the union, as of now, has not accepted the offer.

“As is now, we have not accepted and we believe, or we are in the position where, we think that the government should come better than this,” he remarked.

He stated that the DPSU has not held an executive meeting on the matter.

“Since our last negotiation when that was raised, we have not had an executive meeting. So we need to have an executive meeting to discuss the latest offer,” he said.

Letang added that another solidarity rally will be held on April 27th 2017 to update union members on the current status of negotiations.

“We will be informing the members of that position. We have a meeting scheduled with government sometime in May, I think the 18th of May,” he stated.

At that rally will also be discussions on the union’s response to the government’s offer.

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60 Comments

  1. Long Lost Dominica
    April 19, 2017

    Dominicans really stupid eh, hears a man fighting for DPSU to get more money and because some of allu supporting the government/getting some CBI money you all wont support him smfh! but just remember every time they give allu CBI money they telling allu its not for ever, so when money stop giving and bills have to pay i hope allu will not criticize Mr.letang. but honestly {Skerrit supportster} allu tho rather get a decent pay every month than waiting for santa once a year? #Poormyhomeland

  2. peculiar
    April 19, 2017

    Dominica is a backward country. We are in 2017. Wages are so low and the government is not being reasonable. I would reject any single digit %. Come on people, are you all for real in this country. When are you all gonna stand up? Those defending the government are benefiting directly and indirectly so they won’t care. Wicked set of ppl. The government should be helping the people.

  3. %
    April 19, 2017

    Joe every good thing must come to an end…Enjoy your free money now,but i will continue to talk about corrupt regimes.

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      April 19, 2017

      %, You can talk until your mouth split to reach behind your head. Jealous you jealous of the free money. Never ever believed there are FOOLS like you still living on this planet.

  4. ras b
    April 19, 2017

    but joe u sick and even more wicked

  5. Malgraysa
    April 19, 2017

    The total offer by government comes to 7.166 % over three years, less than half of what is demanded by the union. The offer of 1/2 month’s extra wage for period two is a smart one. Obviously a lump sum payment like that has a bigger impact and appeal than the equivalent 4.166% spread over a year, if only for psychological reasons.
    What is difficult to understand is that wage negations like these in Dominica are still ongoing when most of the period in question has already passed, leaving employees on par with inflation at best. Why can’t the government agree pay increases on a forward basis, instead of retrospectively, which would be fairer and and act as an incentive. No creditors, and the civil servants are captive ones, would like to get paid three years after delivery, if at all. The current set-up does not promote the wholehearted application of effort in employees.

  6. Informant
    April 19, 2017

    As much as all members of the union would like an increase, 15% is not realistic. While I do not support the 0% increase for the first year, I believe the 50% of one month salary is a good offer, actually works out to be more than the 3% increase for the third year. Here’s why: if my salary is $3,000.00 monthly, a 3% increase would add up to $90.00 a month giving me a total of $1,080.00 for the entire year. However, the 50% for one month would be $1,500.00. I think it is a reasonable offer. The only thing I would ask the Union to challenge is the freeze for year one. They should propose that the Government do the same for year one as with year two, and if this is done, accept the offer.

    • snooks
      April 19, 2017

      and the back pay should be tax free

    • peter pumpkin
      April 19, 2017

      that’s a 1-off deal, but in the long run we lose, but the 3% in the 3rd yr would be calculated on $3,090.00 not on $3,000.00, and also remember the salary of $3,090.00 is set for yr entire working period so over the yrs u make a lot more than $1,080.00 including other salary increases are done with $3,090.00 rather than $3,000.00. the higher ur salary the bigger the gratuity and pension. in the long run u get more

      • Ceci
        April 19, 2017

        Peter Pumpkin I agree with you 100%. Whoever made that offer of a one time payment of half of a one month salary is very smart indeed. Like you pointed out, the increase for the third year would still be base on the old salary and not on a new salary if you had a percentage increase instead of a one time payment. The government negotiator is very smart.

  7. God's Beloved
    April 19, 2017

    All those who are commenting on that Letang is not the Union or that the executive has not yet meet but Letang is refusing the offer, let me ask you a few questions:
    1. Are you public servants and members of the PSU?
    2. If any of you are public servants and members of the Union, how supportive have you been of the u UNION that represents you?
    3. What is your motive behind your comments. Are you genuinely interested in the public servants or are you trying to maintain your interest? WHAT IS YOYR MOTIVE?

  8. Me
    April 19, 2017

    Joe, I really don’t understand why people like you don’t want the government to pay their people tp provide a decent standard of living.

  9. Ibo France
    April 19, 2017

    I would argue that most public servants live from paycheck to paycheck. They lack financial security because their wages have not kept pace with Inflation. It’s a monumental struggle just to pay bills and put a decent plate of food on the table everyday. The government and the DPSU should be engaged in genuine negotiations in an effort to avoid a stalemate and come to an amicable resolution. The present offer by the government, in my opinion, seems unreasonable and would not do much to alleviate the financial constraints of the public servants. Let both sides bargain in good faith and come up with a deal that would be satisfactory to the public servants and at the same time not overly burdensome on the government. I MUST submit that the public servants deserve a ‘livable’ wage.

  10. Hendricks ismael
    April 19, 2017

    One of the great fears many of us face as Dominicans despite all our efforts and great minds, we will discover at the end that we have wasted our life. The questions must be ask of all of us when will we enjoy the good life on this planet. We can go on radio stations and talk about what the government is not doing. We must ask our selves what are we doing to change that stupid system the British left for us? If we do not become the job creators the future is not good. We are servants serving others and begging for our supper. It does not matter who is the prime minister in Roseau, we have to be the thinkers and the job creators, don’t leave your children’s future for any one to solve but you. Cognitive science shows that humans are smarter as a groupe than they are on their own. As African and Dominicans please try to get along, save your selves , family, and country. Love the opposition, and love the great man Roosvelt skerritt. Work together to make dominica better than…

  11. truth , shall set you free
    April 18, 2017

    Thats right mr latang, We will not back off

  12. Daughter of the soil
    April 18, 2017

    But what the rastaman wrong with letang nor. Man accept the damn thing and stop play politics chupez

  13. :mrgreen:
    April 18, 2017

    Mr Letang, try a 0, 5 & 5 percent counter offer. The 0% is for the TS Erica year (2015/16). I can understand that 0%. But for 2016/17 – 5%, 2017/18 – 5%. Who knows, they might come with a 0, 3 & 3%.

  14. Too Hard Too Long.
    April 18, 2017

    15% increase is most likely unsustainable and could lead to layoffs in the future. I surely don’t want a 15% increase in taxes to pay the new wage bill.

  15. 000 percent
    April 18, 2017

    I told my union to start at 20 percent, we deserve it we do not want less than 15 percent. we work for our money, we do not form lines to beg anyone, give us our 15 percent.

  16. Tj
    April 18, 2017

    I would think that a union president can say whatever he is going to recoto his members. Mr Le Tang is on target.

  17. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    April 18, 2017

    Is he a one-man show? How can he refuse the government’s offer without meeting with the executives and the members and allow them to decide if they approve the offer or not?
    The higher their salary, the Union stands to gain. This may be his only interest in disguise.

  18. CONSCIOUS
    April 18, 2017

    Man i really tried making sense of the 50% one month pay in the second. Skeritt is a joke. that man can insult people. Everywhere is getting money toilet, road, petite savanne, housing and these people cannot get their money. Mr is evil. Letang is their (lawyer) negotiating for for them. He is their AGENT. His job is to get them the best deal. He is also the middleman.
    Do you think that is a good offer. Sometimes in desperation you take what is offered but a good negotiator will get you what he thinks you deserve. Probably with all the meetings they have decided what they want.

  19. Where all de money gone?
    April 18, 2017

    COMPARE and CONTRAST and see if Skerritt and his Cabal have any love for Native Dominicans.

    A foreigner, Range Development, was given 15 acres of our land from our Cabrits National Park. Skerritt’s DLP went to Parliament and changed the Law to facilitate the giving of our 15 acres of L:and, stolen from Dominicans to give to the foreigner, Range Development. On top of that Skerritt’s DLP Gov’t gave Range Dev. our PASSPORTS to SELL to make MILLIONS to fund their hotel construction. Up to now, Dominicans cannot see no EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) for that major project. MADNESS.

    But Civil Servants have to beg for an increase in salary. Public Works workers cannot get paid. Their Social Security money deducted, but not paid to DSS. Unemployment on the rise, especially among the Youth.

    DLP Ministers took $1000.00/month for medicals. The Speaker was given 100 % increase.

    Dodgy diplomats and other foreigners buy our DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY, Evade Law

  20. damas victor
    April 18, 2017

    We ain’t gonna take it never did, never will.There ain’t no religion as important than my belief. We ain’t gonna take it. let’s forget it better still.

  21. Trident I rolling with
    April 18, 2017

    Behind you 100%. In Solidarity

  22. Just Passing Through
    April 18, 2017

    It seems to this onlooker whatever the government offers he has already made up his mind he will not accept. The members must ask them whether he is bargaining in good fath with their best interest in mind or something else. Not even taking it to the membership or the other members of the executive before making a statement?

  23. nonamegal
    April 18, 2017

    I would take it!!

  24. papa
    April 18, 2017

    Don’t give them no increase they to lazy

  25. UDOHREADYET
    April 18, 2017

    Some times the money is there you just have to know where to find it…
    give them 10% increase then put a vacation freeze 1 year… reset all vacations to 2 weeks max after that first year for 5 years.
    Calculate how much money the government saving and work they getting done, 10% will seem like nothing.

    All that paid leave, while work isn’t getting done is what eats into government pockets!
    Structure more bonuses based on performance and attendance at the same time.

  26. April 18, 2017

    So a meeting could not be convened before Letang ran to the media with his vacuous ramblings? This is why he can go nowhere!

  27. JOSH SHAW
    April 18, 2017

    Only a jack ass world accept that garbage talk from the govt. And roosvelt have money sharing all over. Hell no, as a public servant i say HELL NO!!!

  28. April 18, 2017

    I guess Letang alone is the Union!

    • %
      April 18, 2017

      No he is not the union…He is not like Skerrit who is the Labour Party…He said the executive has not had a meeting, but this does not mean that he does not know the views of the other members outside of having a meeting.

    • Papa Dom
      April 18, 2017

      When ” the fire officers will not work, the teachers will not work” statement was made was that individual the only person in CSA?

    • Me
      April 19, 2017

      No, Skerrit alone is the government!

    • Joe
      April 19, 2017

      Carlton, my exact same GUESS Letang equals the PSU!!!!!! SMDFH!!!!!

  29. Hendricks ismael
    April 18, 2017

    Mr Thomas Letang you are a good man, your job is to negotiate the best deal for your members. Don’t take it personal. After the British gave us independence they left us with a bunch of lazy unproductive people that does very little to build a country all they want is more money for doing nothing. There is to many people working in government producing nothing, they should go in the private sector and create jobs. The government should not be the biggest employer in the country. Dominica will remain poor if all these smart people don’t create their own jobs. Mr Thomas follow the Singapore model.

    • UDOHREADYET
      April 18, 2017

      good point!

    • Papa Dom
      April 18, 2017

      I guess they will all go and sell bakes and ice pop by de side of the road.

    • The Darkness
      April 18, 2017

      The smart people cannot create jobs because they are being held back by the old money grubbers running the country.

      Look at the multiple stupid laws… Then think about how the people of Dominica don’t even follow the proper procedures or laws of the country… always the bad decision… FOOLS.

      Skerrit is just an example of the old generation, who was young… His money grubbing was just the result of the rest of Dominica being lazy and highly receptive to BS…just accept whatever crap comes your way.

      Dominicans do not know the meaning of unity! Its not that they forgot either… they never knew.

      Cowardice is in every corner. Everyone wants a fast money but will not want to do the work required to follow.

      Look at the prosperous countries in this world… all the rich tycoons out there… HARD work alone made them this rich… whether its old money or new money, it is ALWAYS through continous hard effort.

      Don’t be lazy and expect change.

    • Look It
      April 19, 2017

      Dominica will remain poor…. mainly because of the mismanagement of the country’s “pocket” FINANCES. When moneys from CBI is not being invested in areas that can boost the economy and in turn would create an economical environment for the private sector and entrepreneurs’ ventures to flourish, you expect the Singapore model to work??!!! Come on man, be honest here… the manufacturing sector, agriculture sector and all other sectors on island are practically being ignored, instead people who are unable to find gainful employment are lining up for a handouts.

      You cannot just adopt the Singapore model… the atmosphere for this model to be successful has to be AVAILABLE…, WHICH IT IS NOT!

  30. April 18, 2017

    So the executive yet to meet to discuss the new offer, but one man saying that they’re not accepting? Aye lateh!

  31. Ras Ju
    April 18, 2017

    But that one off payment works to about a little over4% – so even better than the 3% for the 3rd year?

    • JOSH SHAW
      April 18, 2017

      how did you arrive to that conclusion? where did you learn math? oh wait that ras ju burn babylon from long hence d ras never attended school. ras Ju is an Ass Ju!!!

    • Papa Dom
      April 18, 2017

      It work out to about 4.17% but it won’t be added to the Base so that the3% in the third year will be on the Base. I think it will be a means of paying them from CBI money without it being classed as salary.

      • Tjebe fort
        April 19, 2017

        Good observation Papa Dom. That will be like a Christmas bonus and not count as a percentage increase in their basic wages. Skerrit trying to be too smart for his own self. Is devils that advising him against his own employees.

    • Fly on the wall
      April 18, 2017

      Ras ju …although I’m not a civil servant… You get it wrong there… Paying a one time payment of 50 percent of your salary is not and can never be more than a 3 percent increase. A 3 percent salary increase will be there with you for the rest of your life… It will affect your pension… Your gratuity etc. The only thing a one time payment gives you is a month of satisfaction.
      You can’t cut off your nose to spite your face.
      So let’s criticise the PSU if they don’t do well but they are right with that one. That one time payment will just be about 600 dollars for most civil servants.
      Thanks for listening…I hope I educated someone.

    • straight
      April 18, 2017

      are u stupid or what…… a one time payment is just what it means, your salary remains at the same level, thats
      not a increase just a political game. Why doesnt the government offer 3% for every year i think every public
      servant would agree to that including meeeeee. Wake up and smell the coffee

    • Perplexed
      April 18, 2017

      Ras Ju you may be right in terms of the quantum but the salary will not change . It will just be a 50% payment for one month but the salary will remain the same. A percentage increase is better because the salary will receive a permanent increase

    • :mrgreen:
      April 18, 2017

      Man the 50%, that’s a one time payment – half a month’s salary – alone. That doesn’t factor in when the 3% is calculated the following year. So technically it’s like 0%, 0% & 3%.

    • Dominican
      April 19, 2017

      That all depends when they would pay that Ras. I suspect that they would want to do that at christmas time this year for maximum impact but remember that this would be in repeat of 2016 and practically eaten up by inflation at that time.

    • newtral
      April 19, 2017

      But it is a one time payment, and will not affect salary growth.

  32. Joe
    April 18, 2017

    DNO Letang is not the UNION and therefore he and his negotiating team CANNOT take that decision, he must meet with his members (NOT IN A RALLY FORMAT) where they will decide if they accept or not… it is alright for he and his negotiating team to reject the offer at that stage but the final decision is not his nor the executive it is the MEMBERS!!!!!!!! I think Letang has over stayed his welcome.. he now acts as if HE IS THE UNION!!!!!!! Having his political shows on Q with only retirees and non-union members like tyrone (Blessings) calling and bashing the government!!!!

    Union members use your heads and accept the government proposal!!!!!!!! These are the same people that keep saying the country broke yet they asking for 15% WICKED SOULS!!!!!

    • %
      April 18, 2017

      Good Afternoon Mr Joe………I am pleased to know that you are now using a term I have used ad nauseam to refer to the SKERRIT CABAL……This term is” WICKED SOUL”…I am pleased to inform you, that you are the most perfect embodiment of a WICKED SOUL..Since after Skerrit’s friend MONFARED was nabbed by the Iranian authorities, Skerrit has been like Santa Claus throughout the country trying to do damage control and in the process has been frittering MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF $$$$$$$$$$$$$$…You sound like a LAZY SOUL, who must have benefitted handsomely..NOW LIKE A WICKED SOUL, you are telling the hardworking Public Officers to accept 0%,1 AND A HALF MONTH SALARY, AND 3%…????
      YOU ARE LAZY AND INSULTIVE,,,,The PSU members will decide without you telling them anything. I know that it will be a resounding NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO…TELL SKERRIT TO TREAT THE Public Servants in the same way that he has treated LAZY YOU,,,,,YOU WICKED SOUL!!!
      SKERRIT MUST GO!
      SKERRIT MUST…

      • KID ON THE BLOCK
        April 19, 2017

        %, Skerrit must go ON for another 10 years but for sure THE NOVICE cannot come. And that’s what blowing your mind and raising your blood pressure.

    • ???????
      April 18, 2017

      Did you say that the Ministers and the President were WICKED SOULS when they received over50% increase in salaries? Did you also say that when the Speaker received a sizeable increase after TS Erika? Do you know that public servants refused a salary increase after TS Erika. What about all the advisors and rejected politicians who receive fat salaries doing nothing. Do you condemn the abuse of state funds in the RED Clinic. Mr. Letang is the Genersl Secretary so he has the authority to speak on behalf of public servants. You are just a typical greedy labourite who will defend anything you master does. Mind you business and let public servants mind theirs.

    • Cee Bee Eye
      April 19, 2017

      In your dreamz…..

      • Joe
        April 19, 2017

        Do i have to be a public servant????? % YOU ARE A WICKED SOUL waiting in the slips for Lennox to win hoping you will get some political postings….keep waiting WICKED SOUL!!!!

    • NKRUMAH KWAME
      April 19, 2017

      Joe, are you a public servant??
      HOTEP!

    • %
      April 19, 2017

      Joe you are one of the WICKED SOULS.

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