Coordinator of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Arundell Thomas, is expressing disappointment in the lack of enthusiasm of members to participate in activities organised by the Union.
“There is a lack of enthusiasm and passion in response to the call of the Dominica Public Service Union for members to participate in Union activities and programs and it is a widely held view that the good old days of the CSA when members always gave support to the union without fear, hesitancy, difficulty and with diligence,” he said during a DPSU media consultation on Friday.
He pointed out that the DPSU appears to be “subdued by apathy and indifference.”
“Members, although willing to pay their monthly dues and benefit from some of the services of the Union, are generally unwilling to stand up for the values that form the business for the creation of the organisation we now call the DPSU,” Thomas stated.
Thomas questioned members as to the reasons for the reluctance to attend union meetings and activities in large numbers and the continued hesitation to stand up for the Union.
“Some have raised globalisation, and job insecurity or simply the general apathy in society as possible reasons for this reluctance,” he stated. “Others have attributed this lack of support to the changing face of the public service where the more experienced employees have given way to a younger generation who no longer see the public service career as a lifelong opportunity.”
Thomas stated that May Day is an appropriate time for members of the DPSU to reflect on and evaluate their present status as a trade union and engage themselves in charting their way forward.
Meanwhile, President of the DPSU, Steve Joseph, called on members to know their rights and remain “united in the struggle.”
“If we do not understand that it is collective power that will be able to move the hand of the employer for us to enjoy better benefits, then we have some challenges ahead. We must always remain focused,” he said.
He said there are many unions “that have fallen asleep and become obsolete” but urged the DPSU not to lose its fighting spirit.
“We must never lose our fighting spirit regardless of all our fringed achievements. People must know their rights! Every public officer must have at least touch a copy of the general orders or the public service act every teacher should have held a copy of the education act we must know our rights of the law,” Joseph exclaimed.
He also suggested strengthening or amending of laws which are meant to protect workers. He added that laws should be implemented to cause an automatic increase of salaries every year since the cost of living increases every year.
hey guys you all need to divorce that one sided politics and be seen as a dove between the govt and the workers never compromise the beliefs and laws of the union make it be seen to the govt that you are of integity and honesty and your members will follow you need to let go those negative nowhere going individuals and we know who they are.
Angelo Allen should join the DPSU so that he can attend meetings with Arundel. Not even Angelo he can fool.
I am happy that you are listening to Angelo and Arundel. You must be a very smart person.
You call that smart. Hey here is one very intelligent person allowing himself to be used, abused and misused by a one who fit the bill of a semi-literate. The only reason is partisan politics. Guess what, Arundel cannot even convince his own extended family to join his point of view. Make your own survey.
we will either chose to sink or rise together, but one of those days we will long for a strong voice in the wilderness, it may be too late….the way of the union with all its faults offers a voice on behalf of the disenfrachised fearful and weak, those branding the leadership in politics, wants to be the only ones in politics, ay ay magwesaaa….
boring activity on may day. no way i rather go on the beach. the union has to many apolitical advisors to Mr Thomas. am satisfy with my back pay.
thanks to mr thomas and more so the prime minister
Well you came prepared with a great speech hoping for a large crowd. Continue to live in a utopian channel and believe in your own misconception. Members turned their backs on this weak and conceited and largely ineffective executive. Too much in-fighting. People looking to replace Mr.Letang already asking for personal benefits etc. To damn much internal politics in the union. So much back-stabbing and noise making and ill-talking each other at and after and before Executive meetings.
The management should resign pi-ri-yord!!! To be shocked at this vote of no confidence in you all is like believing that rubbing your hands together will result in an increase in your savings.
Too much showmanship in Dominica. It is like too many persons “playing Skerro” and are doing a poor job at it. Try to be yourselves!!!! As for the TUC that is another story by itself.
You all are too dam political. We need union leaders with balls. I do not know what all you have.
Mr.Thomas i am glad you have seen the real aspects.
So when you weekly headlines just getting excited
Saying Dominicans are listening and will make the Change at the Polls boss you in dreamland..
The Masses still will vote Labour…
Not sure why you all don’t learn, if Citizens want A change you see signs on the ground…
Have you seen any indicators that Dominicans want Change….think hard..
As much as membership participation is at the lowest the leadership has a lot to do with the lack of motivation by the members. Let us face it Letang settled for a free cup of coffee like Krammer in the Seinfield sitcom. If Letang show sme backbone the membership will follow.
Civil servants are just plain scared and will accept anything no matter how it is served to them. Excuses are for the weak and the civil servants are the weakest.
we are not the weakest. the union just has to avoid politics and work towards a goal
It is simply because the leadership of the ‘unions’ has been playing stupid politics.
To much politics in the leadership of the DPSU
The funny thing is that most of them are Labour people. That same wash your foot and come possie need the representation the most but its Red Clinic or Union meeting.
Only one can do…and one is winning right now :-)
The worst part is at the top. Union Leaders being appointed to boards etc, serious conflicts of interest, and then turning around and want to play badjohn in media as if they really care.
This is the story of Dominica. All man for themselves except when they pretending.
I belong to a union and every year the union makes its policies, wage hike ,members rights, laws and by-laws etc available in the form of a booklet to every member.The DPSU should make this available to all its members ,then they will know the laws,by-laws, policies etc.That’s one thing the dues money should be used for./
It is already available to ALL members.
No money, No love PSU and all others! May Day I’ll stay home and sleep.
***YOU KNOW WHY?
It’s very simple why the mebers don’t car to attend meetings and really participate. The reason is that the memebers [mostly] are just………
NOT INTERESTED!!
Some would not be interested even if their lives depended on it!!
Besides, some would like the DPSU to protect them without being involve!! They might care but not enough to take the NEEDED action requested.
-Thanks
I agree with you to some extent. Yes, many are not interested. There is great apathy. But why? Are we just a lazy, laid-back people?