The Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) says it is waiting patiently to hold talks with the government’s negotiating team to discuss salary increase for teachers for the period 2012-2015.
The government’s latest proposal consists of a five percent salary increase for that period.
Speaking to state owned DBS, President of the DAT, Celia Nicholas, stated that they were informed by the government’s team that they “may wish to reconsider” the offer of 3,1, 1, that was made on December 30th 2014.
But Nicholas said prior to that offer, they held a meeting on the 12th of December with their membership and unanimously, the members accepted what was outlined in a DAT letter to government dated November 24th 2014.
The revised DAT proposal of November the 24th includes an increase of 2 percent for the 2012-2015 triennium commencing July 2012, a review of job descriptions and re-evaluation of teaching positions and the implementation of the policy decision to upgrade all positions not already upgraded by one level in the event the review and re-evaluation process does not yield the desired results. The DAT also requested the implementation of the new pace structure with effect from January 1, 2015 and that travelling officer status be assigned to the position of principal, primary and secondary schools, with effect from January 2015.
“We did inform the teachers of the revised proposal of the 24th of November with five items in it and as I said during the interim, we still got another letter informing us that there is another offer of 3,1,1,” Nicholas said. “Unanimously our teachers said they would wish to have the terms and conditions outlined in the proposal of November the 24th.”
She continued, “But we did write and were informed that they need some time because with the change of government, the team involved is in a transitional period and a day and time will be communicated to us. We are still awaiting that day and time.”
Meanwhile Nicholas said they “negotiated in good faith,” and in so doing, they are leaving no teachers behind in the negotiating process, adding that “when we do operate, we do not do it just looking at the profession of teachers but at the same time we have to understand that in the literature shows that anytime special measures are put in place for the upliftment of the teacher, and teachers perform well, the students perform well and the country is the benefactor.”
The two other unions, the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) and the Police Welfare Association (PWA) have accepted this offer.
The DPSU accepted the offer “after careful analysis and for various reasons including the government’s job classification exercise” and said that it was in the best interest of public servants.
The Police Welfare Association (PWA) has accepted the proposal on condition that an overtime allowance is added to the package.
Salary has already been paid and the teachers got NOTHING.
I see that even though our Machiavelli is on vacation his divide-and-rule tactics are still applied at maximum strength. The attempt at undermining the executive of the teachers’ union is evidence of that as much as the orchestrated attempt to rehabilitate his image from a scoundrel into a saviour by a man in a frock.
garcon just give me the 5% eh. the price of oats went up 5 times on the same salary. i fed with ma Nicholas and DAT. I myself will come out in that eh. Take the % whatever it is and continue to press. I want MONEEYY TO BUY FOOOD. EMPTY BAG CANNOT STAND., THAT LADY TIRED TRICK US WITH HER POLITICS
Empty ‘backs’ cannot stand.
You have a good point. I would be happy to get the 5 per cent increase. These days few people even get a one percent and others nothing at all.
They keep fighting for a mere percentage. They should know that the money has to come from somewhere and Dominicans do not pay that amount of taxes to inland revenue to give them the increase they are seeking. The funds come from outside sources in the form of loans and grants.
Some people work extremely hard and they do not as much as get a salary increase; others much less than they are offered. I do think they should consider this, have a heart and accept and appreciate the increase. They lack gratitude. Some people as you would be happy for the increase offered. I would.
Principals do not qualify to be travelling officers! there is a criteria for travelling post which the office of principal is not aligned to. They work at one location and travel to odd events (a meeting at Roseau once every 2 mths for e.g), from time to time. No travelling officer is paid to get to their base location (school). They are paid from their base to other work locations which their duties demand. An education officer for example travels to several schools. principals could either receive casual mileage or a special allowance to cover basic travel expenses. Celia need to get into her head that salary negotiation and the Classification are two separate things. Teachers should accept the 5% and lobby in the new period of negotiations for the other non-salary areas. 5% is 3% more than 2%, isn’t that logic?????? Celia, the DAT executive and teachers need to think clearly and not with ignorance, apathy or political lenses on!
You must be a Govt. mole because if you were a teacher you would know that criteria is the plural of criterion!
Why the animosity to Ms. Nicholas? She did not bring in any outside voters to reach her verdict, did she? She is doing exactly what she was elected to do, look after the interest of the people she represents.
Maybe 65% of Dominican teachers. Don’t hold a degree.
Maybe they don’t however they have laid the foundation for the whole 100%of dominicans that do hold degrees #respectdteachers all now they that have u able to write a sentence
So what? The Ministry of Eduction obviously thinks they can do the job, otherwise they would not have appointed them.
Ambassador Aaron Has a degree. Would you want your children to be taught by him?
teachers tell celia nicholas, thank you very for her services but it is time to pack up and leave.
If Skerrit have money to pay Berres Hammond, Destra and Carimi to preform for his election campaign then he can afford to give teachers a 5% increase.
WHATis 5% YOU ALL have no back bone WHY on earth settlt for so little YOU all are the Driving Force of the land and deserves better than that.
Get it into your brain! Winning that election was far, far more important to Skerrit than paying the teachers a living wage.
Well, if Celia says it , I guess you all gotta believe it.
What does “unanimously” Mean? Not everyone was in favor of that offer. As a teacher, I am not fooled by DAT’s tricks. Don’t worry, we will see what this leads to. You will remember my words when Celia is nominated for president of the country in a few years time. But that will not be before her names shows up on the Ballot for a political constituency
But wait. Since from Freedom party Mamo days, parties have been lobbying to get Ma Joe on their ballot.
Look at the cabinets, look at opposition, you see who are her past students. If Mrs. Nicholas wanted to be President of Dominca she could have been President of Dominica. Dont dare and tarnish the lady’s name by implying she is doing this for political gain.
I would prefer to get 5% increase as a qualified teacher. This job classification business can come in after it is properly reviewed by the Gov’t, the union and the teachers. It is clear that the time is not right for this to be implemented anyway. I also don’t relish the idea of teachers with their ‘degree’ getting so much more money than certified teachers for doing the same work and many of them don’t even work as hard as those without degree. this new system will cause a serious change in the teaching service. It will be interesting to see how this will be played out.
Dominica Association of Teachers
Wage and Salary Negotiations
July 2012 – June 2015
Triennuim
Subsequent to the last email (Friday 21, November 2014), The National Executive met with the Government Negotiating Team on Thursday November 27 2014.
UPDATE
Proposal 1
Increase of 2% for the 2012/2015 Triennuim commencing July 2012.
Base year July 2012 – 2%
Retroactive pay (Back pay) July 2012 – December 2014 -2%
Implement the new pay structure effective January 1, 2015
Proposal 2
Review Job Descriptions and re-evaluation of teaching Positions
Principal Secondary School moved from $4 560.84 – $4 745.35
Principal Primary School moved from $2 970.40 – $4 093.07 Minimum
$3 937.15 – $4 404.92 Maximum effective January 1, 2015
Graduate Teacher Untrained $2 970.38 – $3 137.18 Minimum effective January 1, 2015
$3 344.60 – $3 571.16 Maximum
Proposal 3
Implement the policy decision to upgrade all positions not already upgraded by one level…
Proposal 4
Assign travelling officer status to the position of Principal Primary and Secondary School with effect January 1, 2015.
$723.80 per month with proof of ownership of vehicle and insurance in owner’s name. Mileage claim of $2.60 per mile up to 200 miles. This is applicable to one in an acting position. The travelling allowance will be paid during the summer. However, it is not applicable if the holder is out of office after 3 months.
A submission has to be made to the Ministry of Education on behalf of principals at Government Assisted Schools for this status.
Other Concerns
1. Sports Teachers – there are no posts as sports teachers in Primary Schools and Government Assisted School . DAT suggests creation of the post of Sports Teacher.
2. Physical Education Teachers – negotiation for clothing allowance for Physical Education Teachers will be pursued. The original submission has been rejected. A commitment was given by the Government Negotiation…
$32,000,000 was spend in the last election. Teachers you are much more educated by the others(DPSU and COPS) I personally believe much more should and can be given knowing how much money was spent just a few weeks ago. I too believe that Principals and others are entitled to the basic travelling allowance. Stand your grounds you teachers- You work soo hard to educate us! Why aren’t you all being able to build those million dollars home the “once teachers” build?
why didnt the DAT president stop beating around the bush and say directly that we teachers REJECT the 3.1.1. salary increase and wants the government to accept the job classification for teachers. all that talk about terms of the first letter and what not is confusing to the people.
That DAT President need to stop playing politics with the teachers. Stop mixing matters and let the teachers enjoy their 5% after you make them wait so long giving them the impression that job classification was negotiable. Letang better represents teachers than you.
MASSSSSSSSSSSHHHH @MiMi
u really serious? to enjoy 47 dollars extra. how?
Chupes man, Letang was bought long ago.
– duty free vehicles
– control over a sickness benefit pot
– special mortgage terms
And who was his benefactor? Can you bite the hand that feeds you?
that is just flash, you know you will accept it because you sold out those teachers so many times it not funny
I want my money please okay
Well, go and get it.
Jeez & Facts. You are so ridiculous. Don’t you get tired typing crap?
Falling for all Skerrit lies and dishonesty,wish all of you good luck,sad country.