By DNO Correspondent
The 16 employees of the Public Works Corporation who were given letters of dismissal last week are back on the job today, after several hours of negotiations by the Public Service Union (PSU) on Thursday.
In a letter dated March 31, 2010 signed by PWC’s General Manager Julius Dailey, the company cited financial difficulties as the cause of the termination.
“I have apprised employees of the current challenges faced by the Public Works Corporation which has had an adverse impact on our ability to meet some of our financial obligations. Management can assure you that along with the Board, we are exhausting all possible avenues to have the situation improve within the shortest possible time with the lease negative implications. Regrettably, we have had to take a much thought-out decision to temporarily release some workers,” the letter cited.
The letter went on to state that in view of the fact that the company are constrained to reduce the scope of its operations, “you will be temporarily released from service effective April 6, 2010”.
Those employees protested at the company from Tuesday, forcing the intervention of their union.
PSU’s General Secretary Thomas Letang met with members of the Corporation’s Board and Minister Rayburn Blackmoore to address the matter yesterday morning at the Public Works Division, while those dismissed gathered around the premises.
A second meeting was held at the PSU building, and a decision was taken late Thursday to rehire those who were sent home.
“One of the things that we were upset about is the fact that these employees were terminated with immediate effect. You just cannot do that. They should have been given some notice because it doesn’t give the union any time to negotiate,” noted General Secretary of the DPSU Thomas Letang.
Letang told a media interview Thursday evening that he feels satisfied that the employees were given another shot at employment
“That had always been our intention-to have them back at work. We will meet with management within two weeks time to review the situation and if at that point anyone needs to be sent home, that matter will be reviewed. In the meet time management will do an audit of the skills of the employees and [place workers where they can be placed. They will not be denied payment of any sort,” Letang said.
According to Chairperson of the Public Works Board Gloria Tavernier explained that when there is no work for the daily paid workers, they would be temporarily relieved until work becomes available, and management was simply following that routine.
She said however in this instance, the matter “didn’t go down well” because of the manner in which it was done.
“That being the situation we have recognized the short coming and we have decided to allow them back at work and since public works in very rich with diverse skills, we are going to utilize the staff in different areas. That went very well with them and all of next week will be used to examine their dual skills,” she said.
According to Tavernier, this situation came as a surprise to the company because “we do not have an issue with our staff”.
She said she looks forward to improving the working relationship with the staff and move in an upward direction.
Tavernier said after a two weeks evaluation, some may have to be sent home but we will discuss it with the Union. “I am hoping that we don’t have to send anyone home,” she added.
PSU’s General Secretary Thomas Letang met with members of the Corporation’s Board and Minister Rayburn Blackmoore to address the matter yesterday morning at the Public Works Division, while those dismissed gathered around the premises in protest.
A second meeting was held to come to a definite resolution on the matter.
Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
god help us … boy look comess dat going on in that place but i want them to know that position on earth is not forever and what goes up must come down…..we are really heading to the next level… congratulations dominicans.
i think development begins with the people. forget roads and other minor projects ..they can wait..we need to feed our ppl first ….
How could this have ever happened at a time when there is the highest ever demand for colas in Dominica’s history…laying off the Only colas employees on island?
Oh
…A sorry
I forgot a new colas plant being built (By a dual citizen?) less than 100 feet upwind of the poor villagers of Layou
Well this is the “Next Level”
after all
“Together we must…”
Suffer
well sah
2 salary still going to 1 home.and 16 people going home
he cannot manage
i work there and them people don”t care about nobody but themselves …GOD HELP US
Board is rotten ok
I am a friend of both Julius Dailey and Mr pal rep Rayburn Blackmoore therefor i will give credit where it`s due. I applaude the decision to re instate the workers and to dialogue which should have been the way to go in the first place. I know how Dominica operates for i served my country well and i am always proud of Dominica, but we all have to be careful not to allow our Dominica to be the laughing stock to the rest of the World which can happen very quickly in light of the ability due to the fact news can spread like wild fire all over the Globe, it appears that we have a few hot heads and arrogant individuals in decision making positions and sometimes without due consultation and due process make decisions which can affect hard working men and women and destroy their life and their family life. This types of things will not even happen in Cuba and we all know what system of Government they have in Cuba. Brothers and sisters lets be very careful how we treat people for what goes around comes around mark my words. Power corrupt and too much power can bred little dictators. A word to the wise is sometimes enough.
next level papa
You have really worked for you Union dues.
ZO MEISURE BELL WEEE.
The Saga Continues…..
glad to know that the back to work times so hard now