The DPSU wishes to express its concerns about the myriad of issues facing the nation and especially of those relating to public officers and other employees.
Any deterioration in a country’s economy and efficient function of the public service which arises through no fault of public officers affects their working conditions and services to the citizenry.
Listening to many public officers, it is clear that the recently concluded job reclassification exercise has not adequately addressed remuneration to public officers. The secrecy about the high salary adjustment to Cabinet ministers who were not part of the consultancy in comparison to certain levels within the establishment who did not receive an upward adjustment is of concern. It is the view of the union that the level of adjustment taken by parliamentarians in comparison to public officers sullied the process and lacked equity.
The system continues to deny public officers the opportunity for upward mobility. An officer, particular in senior positions holding several positions is one of the ways of encouraging that unfair practice.
To many public officers across the service are acting for protracted periods which in some instances exceed beyond 5 years and are not being recommended for appointment although they continue to perform exceptionally.
The hardship being created to retired public officers who after demitting office in some instances for more than a year and not being paid their gratuity has been drawn to the attention of the DPSU, and must corrected. A public officer who retires should not be owed by the state beyond one month.
The inability to satisfy clients’ needs due to lack of resources subject public officers to insults and unfair criticism.
The threat posed to the continuation of tertiary education of public officers undergoing training because of Government’s failure to address the issue of tuition fees is being taken seriously.
The suspicion that the Government may not be versed towards the payment of salary increase for a new triennium when negotiation begins is worrisome.
The DPSU’s Executive has drafted its proposal for salary increases which will be submitted shortly following discussions with the general membership.
Based on the foregoing members are being strongly advised that they should be on standby for a general meeting which will be called in March 2024.
Mobilization for what is expected to be one of the largest gathering of public officers will commence soon.
Additionally, the Union leadership has learnt of planned protest action for March 4th dubbed “Do nothing” by some other entity and is in no position to direct any response to its membership. The right to protest is a right that every citizen enjoys under the constitution and other international conventions and citizens whether they are members of the union or not should be left to decide for themselves.
The union is interested in a free, just, democratic, and economically viable Dominica and one whose image in the international community is well revered and respected.
I am surprised we have not heard anything from Jefferson Drigo chairman of the police.It is always UWP,Thomas Letang and Jefferson Drigo.
Letang has overstayed his welcome and should immediately vacate his position. Imagine the United Dca forces have accomplished more in one day, yes DO NOTHING MONDAY than Letang has done in the last 20years. At the stroke on Midnight last Sunday, Roseau and the country in general went silent at the behest of “the movement”. Yet Letang cant get or wont call out the DPSU to stand for the same causes. What a damn shame! I am waiting to see what he will do now that the country is at the mouth of the abyss and public servants are on their begging knees.
Thomas Letang is getting same pay as Permanent Secretaries, that is, over $8000 monthly.
Of course he has to be complacent!
If ‘bread well buttered’ was a person.
The X president Charles Savarin should apply for Thomas Latang’s job so he could be a thorn in the flesh to his co-corrupt BosS Roosevelt Skerrit. I’m sure he’d call for a National strike and shut down Roseau on his first day on the job. Latang is a Snail who can move forward and backwards at the same time not gaining any grounds.
The state of many offices of the public sector alone says these people NO NOT CARE for the public workers. The Police Stations alone are a prime example.
Thomas Letang needs to go. He has done very little, if anything, for the underpaid, disrespected public servants. He has no clout nor has shown any tenacity in advocating or fighting for the long suffering members of the DPSU after nigh three consecutive decades (30 years) of hogging the top executive position in the union.
Some have posited the excuse that he does not get the support from the general body of the DPSU when he calls for industrial action. If that is true, it’s a potent reason he should voluntarily surrender the position. When one has lost the confidence of his member it is time to go.
The workers should come together, muster enough courage, and demand better pay and working conditions.
The DPSU should be a robust advocate for the dispossessed, despise,d neglected, downtrodden and poor workers. Should never become a foot stool of any employer.
It is downright shameful that the largest union in the country is soooo weak, accepting these unfair practices from the government.
It is unfair that public servants are not being respected and adequately compensated for their services while government ministers are being enriched on the backs of the same public servants who pay taxes every month!
It is downright shameful that this condition continues to be accepted when Patrick Roland John was ousted from government led by the former President for way less – but then he was rewarded for being a sellout! Probably the current leader of the service union is negotiating his own deal. Shameful!!
I have zero respect for Mr. Thomas Letang as the GS of the DPSU. He has forfeited the rights of his members for fair wages and much improved working conditions.
Some years ago the government offered public servants 1.25% increase. To my bewilderment, Mr. Letang said he was satisfied with that infinitesimal increase.
The DPSU needs a change of leadership and much stronger activism and advocacy on behalf of the aching workers.
@Ibo France
That’s what happens when a leader stays in a position for too long. This is the weakest Trade Union leader Dominica has ever had. He just do not have it!
@Hmmmmmmmm
Absolutely, 1 000% correct! When a leader stays at the top too long, he becomes complacent, too easily satisfied, insensitive to the plight of his members, and eventually run out of gasoline.
When was the last time Mr. Letang seriously agitated for any deliverables for the the union members who are mostly living in perennial and subtle poverty?
Mr. Letang, nothing a government fear most than a restive workforce. Flood the streets with your members. Allow them to use their voices, feet and placards to demand the changes and benefits they so well deserved.
UK make skritt pregnant by ban visa free