The general membership of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) has agreed not to request salary increases for 2015 to 2016 due to the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika.
This is according to the union’s General Secretary, Thomas Letang, who said such a move is necessary for the island’s rebuilding process.
“That is for the plan for rebuilding to take place, to allow people to prepare themselves for really looking ahead to the task that lies ahead so that we can rebuild this country,” he explained. “And we believe that as public officers, as citizens of this country, we have a role to play.”
He added that the union will be making a request to the government to allow interested skilled public officer one day every two weeks to give their time to assist in the rebuilding process.
He said this could be worked out with various village councils to “ensure that these people were really there and these people will be required to stay in the community or go to a neighboring community where their skills can be utilized.”
He mentioned that some of the areas that these officers could help is in reconstruction as well as cleaning up.
“But they will be making a contribution,” Letang remarked.
A good negotiator knows when to pull oit the bargaining chip. Letang what you have done is that you hand over your advantage to a conniving opponent. A good negotiator would use his card to first restore the public eorks employees who have been unfairly treated and fired.
Noe how can Letang demand gratuity and social security payments for the layoff public works employees while at the same time telling Government Skerrit that I know things are bad. Letang where is your hard nose. A uniin leader cannot be weak nor a yard fowl to any political party.
The public workers must now think about it. There is no telling when they will get that much needed increase. Just like Skerrit them ride the 2008 evonomic down turn as an excuse for the terrible economy so too they will ride Erika . But we all know that before Erika the bottom of the basket was off. So Letang be prepared to sing Erika why why.
Lang Mama would not have given up the increase without talking about public works…
This letang is thinking upside down like the DLP government. so over the last 15 year when have this government negotiated any contracts with the workers on time. These workers have to wait and average 3 to 4 years to settle a contract. So the government gets a past, while every day price goes up. The last time of negotiations the government offered a zero percent increase. if it was not for the UWP that made an offer if elected of 5%. Skerrit would have never offered them a raise. So if you are giving up on 2015 to 2016, with they was not going to give the workers a raise anyway, how about getting back the PWC worker their jobs back, or getting the government to suspend the increase fees on vehicles. (the highway tax) Maybe letang all government official should donate part of the salary to built a home to the storm victims.
Before such a move, the Minister should take a salary cut. Why the poor man has to suffer. Already things so expensive everything has increases, but salaries remain the same.
Join the club worldwide.
Will the Govt. officials cut their travel budget and travel econmy instead of first 0or business class?
Letang to help build a country u as an individual must first build your self. How can you give something when you have nothing? Every one in my community suffered from the lack of water, yet those given the responsibilities to hand out water said that it is for the hospital and elderly. I have to BUY water to drink and you making bargin with skerrit to forgo salary increases? SMH!
Lol boi mr them weak lol u mean to tell me donkey years all you asking for an increase and now because of erica all u giving up the application haha. But all would have never gotten it anyway.haha weaklings no woder we will always stay poor in that country
Man proposes. God disposes.
Harry Mack, aging is not a crime, retirement is not a crime, we all have to reach this stage in life, unless otherwise, you Dominican need to stop this age discrimination thing, enjoy your youthness if you are a youth, for your day will come and the young ones will throw the same at you, one thing for sure, what goes around comes around
Those who make such statements about the aged, they are not smart. Little do they know that some of them may not live long enough to age.
Mr. Letang how is increase of public servant salary interfere with relief. There should be funds set aside for Disaster. The rebuilding phase should not be on the backs of the already struggling folks trying to make ends meet! Millions of dollars flooding into Dominica right now, with no transparency or accountability. while the average citizen is sacrificing everything ,those at the top are reaping the rewards and enriching themselves.
This ought not to be the case. It is incumbent upon you to fight for the workers and ensure they get their salary increase regardless. The Government has deprived the people of their basic rights. It is unfair asking the workers to forfeit their livelihood . Instead, you should be putting pressure on the Government to meet the demands of the workers. Once you give away your Bargaining Rights, you’re leaving yourself wide open to having everything else stripped from you..
Were the workers even informed before reaching this agreement? This is…
When you contribute enough and also to the revenue of the country, funds will be set aside. You will then be able to provide advice.
really????????
letang . . please do everyone a favor and resign . . .I beg you . .for example , is Domlec going to stop disconnect people electricity because of none payment at this hard time . . . .I don’t get it . . . .keep it up . .labour ka twavay . . there is more to come . . .
You lack consideration and compassion.
Congratulations to the management, Executive Committee and general membership Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) for deciding not to request increase for 2015 -2016. This is indeed a big sacrifice in light of increasing inflation and taxes. I do hope the Government recognizes the contribution Dominica’s public servants are making to the post Erika recovery efforts, and recognize them for that…
I also hope that now that the services of the Public Works Corporation is needed in the rebuilding effort that all the workers sent home will be reinstated in the jobs at least for the duration or part there off of the rebuilding period.
GOD BLESS THE PUBLIC SERVICE… AS YOU GUYS VERY OFTEN COMMITED AND SERVE WELL IN THE INTEREST OF DOMINICA’S DEVELOPMENT…
This is good news and one of compassion for the re-building of D/ca. Some may not be pleased However, they know D/ca’s situation since the tropical storm and should understand.
While I agree with the decision of the public servants, a condition that should be attached to this excellent gesture is the reinstatement of the twenty public workers department employees. The Government under the leadership of Skerrit, doesn’t who appears to care about the public workers of Dominica. I hope he will have a search his heart and immediately stop hurting the families of those twenty employees. Mr. Letang has shown great leadership and should be complimented, unlike Savarin who wanted salary increases for public workers of over 100 present, knowing the Government of Patrick and the country couldn’t afford it. The vehicle owners should immediately request the removal of the recent motor vehicle fees.
this can only be fair if there is no rise in the near future on purchasing goods.
people rethink your action . remember we just had a disaster and are now short of numerous goods, companies have been damaged and needs rebuilding , who do you think is going to pay for these repairs ???
like the carpenters , measure twice cut once, in your case think twice decide once .
What about all the cronies of the government? Those that are making the large salaries and doing nothing ,those that lost in the general election, and were given jobs , why don’t you use your office and tell the PM and cabinet to have those people give up a day pay or even a week pay in the name of reconstruction, why is it the little man who always have to suffer. Eh Latang why?
Good job Mr. Letang! I wish I was living in Dominica so I could follow your example. As a family, we have taken a decision to contribute 50% of our paychecks to Dominica for the next six months, but we do not know who to send it to so that our hard earn money does not fall in wrong hands.
We thought of sending it to the government or put it on the account given, but we don’t want those fellars to move it to a ministers personal account.
We thought of sending it to the local village council so they could use it to help rebuild that village, but we afraid to do that since Skerrit as the wisest, and now best PM Dominica has ever had, has successfully replaced our councils with Labor groups.
We thought of sending it to a local church pastor or priest but that to we got scared of since some of those greedy pastors think they deserve double portion for their good work.
We thought of sending it to the police department but we got scared of them sweeping it by mistake. Please advise…
@Passing cloud September 25, 2015
Keep on with your thoughts; by the you stop (thoughting) Dominica will be too rich and too “built-up” to want your 50% of your paycheck for that 6 months–did you say!
This comment of yours is worthless, really worthless!
So how am I going to pay the new road tax again????
Why ask? Since TS Erika I would think that the new road tax has been put on the back burner for now until D/ca returns to normal. This may take a very long time. For the present there may be a reprieve. Why not look into it?
No it has not!!!!!!!
Wow! That’s what I call true patriots that put country first. I know you will be criticized but it’s better to be criticized for putting country first than to be applauded for putting self first. When the international world sees this kind of move by nationals, they will be motivated to give a helping hand.
In this same spirit of love for country I call on the Hon. Prime Minister, The President and all 18 ministers to take a 50% pay cut for the next 12 months. Love for country must not be in word only but in action. If the outside word sees such a decision is taken by the government, they will be motivated to give more to our cause.
In like manner, I also call on the Prime Minister to suspend the special offices he created for those candidates that did not win the election. I mean these guys had been making a lot of money as parlreps since most of them were there for a long time.
Let’s put Dominica first! We can’t ask the international world to sacrifice while we continue 2 b…
Legtan,while there will be no increase for the public servants, have you ensured that the government ministers, and the president will agree to sally cuts for the year 2015 and 2016?
You know I been trying to figure out for quite a long time, and it appear to me that nothing you do is in the interest of the public servants; I think you are a sell out to Skerrit, the people you are suppose to be representing are victimized by you.
I suspect you are bought and paid for by the regime, as the people you claim to represent should demand your resignation! I suspect corruption, who knows somebody might be getting a brown paper from under the table, that’s sucks!
That should be salary cut, while the hard working people will not get there due, you and Skerrit and the rest will e paid your full salary, are you not ashamed to sell out your people for a fists full of dollars, hopefully the amount paid to you is more than thirty dollars.
We remember Judas accepted thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus Christ!
I would think that you betrayed Jesus even without thirty pieces of silver.
The problem with you is, you are not kind or encouraging to your fellow people on this Website. This projects lack of love and betrayal to Our Lord who commanded that we love one another.
Speak your truth without hurting anyone. This means to be diplomatic.
hahah all u so stupid.. dem government ministers pockets well full
OK proud of the people of Dominica,but let us se how the PM and his cabinet are going to assist, will they take a cut in salary also in relation to the civil servants..
what a shame, the government did not see it fit to delay the increase of taxes but the people must continue to burden and sacrifice and already low income. through all this i wonder who does letang truly serve?
The people broke….give them their increase
You could contribute some money to assist them. Put your money where your mouth/ fingers on the keyboard are.
Letang you are expired in this position. This is no news, because under no circumstances that DPSU could have expected an increase this year or before the next election.
What would have been news is the Public Works workers that are still at home with so much work to be done.
Letang you are in the position for much to long and you should bow out. Totally ineffective and they make a marji out of you.
What a shame!
There is no such think as retired, have you heard of the Baby Boomers who are returning to work in Canada and other countries, Dominican stop this ageism discrimination, age do not have any boundaries nor limit, Mr Letang is fighting hard for the public service workers, some of the workers are the ones to blame, do not blame him, as we all know there are traitors, betrayals those who kiss asses and bring come and go for work related favors and more, so do not blame Mr Latang, get off his back, you narrow minded people age is just a number and 5he older the grapes the sweeter the wine, Mr Latang continue doing what you have to do for the people,
Harry Mack has a severe age discrimination problem. Does he not think that if he is fortunate to get old enough, he will live to be a certain old age? He is ignorant, disrespectful, narrow minded and insulting.
What people as Harry Mack is ignorant about, the older ones are more experienced, courteous, conscientious and better workers.
The Law in Canada is employees can continue working past the normal retirement age and also pay income tax. If they wish to continue to work and are performing adequately, they cannot be asked to resign. This is also beneficial for the government; for the revenue. This man, Harry, needs to educate himself about that.
In this country people do not call others old. For one, it is an insult and inconsiderate.
I heard the following:
Age is not a person and does not make a person
Also: If you did not know how old you are, how old do you think you would be?
Harry Mack is getting older and would do well to know this and keep it in mind. .
yeah !! let your people go and beg for money at the red clinic instead.
Letang you agreed on this I did not we, are really servants on this island
Nice gesture but are any of the Ministers of the super sized cabinet giving up anything?
You would laugh them eh. They have their lavish lifestyles to maintain on the backs of the working man. Wait for INCREASES in their pay instead.
Dominicans WHEN will you all stand up???
What are you giving up? How much are you helping?
This is huge… foresight and vision in the works!! bless!!!