Trade Union Congress a viable route says WAWU secretary/treasurer

Augustus addressed a DAT AGM on Wednesday

Secretary/Treasurer of the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union (WAWU), Kertiste Augustus has supported a Trade Union Congress in Dominica saying it guarantees that the voices of individual unions will be heard.

Speaking at the 19th Annual General Meeting of the Dominica Teachers Association (DAT) on Wednesday at the St. Alphonsus Parish Hall, he, however, said there are a few measures that need to be taken on the union member’s side and that of the Congress.

He stated that within the establishment of a Trade Union Congress, increased efforts from the union members and organization of such congress must be up to par.

“The unions must be visible and vocal in the establishment of such an organization. There are a number of things which must be done to realize a Trade Union Congress in Dominica,” he explained. “In the first place, we must all want and be committed to the formation of such an institution or organization. We must develop a respect for that organization, we must have or develop confidence in that Trade Union Congress that we are about to establish, and importantly we must be prepared to participate fully in the Trade Union Congress,” he said.

Augustus added that a Trade Union congress begins with negotiations of a constitution between the unions interested in the formation of such an organization.

Within a typical constitution, according to him, there must be important positions and activities including; Preambles, an executive council, President and Vice President, memberships, benefits, and much more.

“Having approved of the constitution of the congress, the unit must be prepared to adhere to the articles of the constitution and the rules of the organization. In that regard, the rules can cover what can be done and what must not be done. The jurisdiction of operating can be defined and guidelines determined,” Augustus stated.

He added that there are many benefits of the congress which include a single, unified voice speaking on behalf of the various unions.

“I note, in your document that the Prime Minister made reference to the fact that as a Trade Union Congress, we will be speaking with one voice,” he confirmed.

More benefits of the congress include the consolidation of laborers position on any issue that impacts “or is likely to impact” on the union and workers, as stated by Augustus.

“A trade Union Congress will be in a position because it’s very numbers, to forcefully request of our administration an audience to discuss a number of concerns such as crime and violence, drug creation, illegal drugs, to name a few,” he said.

Augustus added that with the establishment of the Trade Union Congress, the independence of the individual member organizations “will be guaranteed,” and that the term ‘solidarity’ has to have “real meaning” within the congress.

“Support will be required to be extended to member unions when needed to bring about a resolution of an issue confronting that unit in congress. The number of workers that can be brought into the case can have a real impact in resolving the issue,” he remarked.

He stated that the congress must in itself a quick response to the concerns of union members, which should reflect the mandate of the D.A.T. constitution.

The DAT AGM was held under the theme: Consolidating for Greater Effectiveness in the Future.

Teachers at the AGM

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6 Comments

  1. laughing
    April 22, 2017

    These union fellers have been heading the union since nanae canell; When are they calling it quits? They run the union like a family business. Bodies, friends, pals and relatives. Everything in Dominica is upside down. Shooooots mann

  2. viewsexpressed
    April 20, 2017

    The days of DAWU and A. Frederick Joseph, Zaboca, and others are gone. Sad to say. Look where savarin end up, appears he is not a builder, visionless but now hugging the Presidency. There .are some people who are opportunists and turn their backs on the institutions that really built them, in other words took advantage of this vehicle to get there. It is disgusting how the loyalty of some people are turned to corrupt government and their stooges and no longer to fight the cause of the poor, unfortunate and ow paid workers. Dominica please rise up and Skerrit and his stooges must go

  3. God is Seeing All Things
    April 20, 2017

    we and our children will continue to bruise our knees in prayers until the God we serve DELIVER our country from this WICKED CORRUPT ONE MAN GOVERNMENT and his friends because while the BELLIES are full our children are CRYING OUT LOUDLY because their BELLIES are EMPTY. Mr. Letang and the PSU Executive Please, PLease Please don not fall for that……….THIS IS A BIG TRAP….Teachers are feedup with the cunning and deceptive bebaviors of DAT, the membership is dropping drastically, the DAT is now trying to TAKE OVER PSU so they planning that STRATEGY…….PSU allu should know who is behind that…skerrit. PSU is now a FORCE to be reckoned with……. DOMINICANS INCLUDING TEACHERS CANNOT BE FOOLED ANY MORE

  4. dee
    April 20, 2017

    Ok Ok Trade Union Congress
    Lets have voluntary applicants for the created posts , President , Vice President , Chairman , Board members
    all voluntary ( contribution to the Economy of Dominica )
    All will be silent , no volunteers .
    prove me wrong .

    • God is Seeing All Things
      April 20, 2017

      IT WILL be the ONE WOMAN RULE as what is currently happening in DAT. Curtis you will given CRUMBS first from her to buy your loyalty, then she will kick you butt and TREAT you like a BIG DOG and get RID of you. MAM behave YOURSELF

  5. TUC Teah
    April 19, 2017

    Can the DAT make an attempt to invite the other unions to discus the merits and pathway to the TUC? Can the Unions get off their selfish high horses and transform talk into action?

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