General Manager of the Public Works Corporation (PWC), Titus Francis, has revealed that a recent disagreement between the union and the corporation which involved non-payment to employees was due to their refusal to work.
During an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO) on November 13, 2024, General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang, stated that the union continues to express concerns regarding delayed payments to PWC staff.
“We remain concerned that employees are working but not being paid on time. They have debts owed to banks, face penalties for late payments, and risk having their services disconnected, causing significant inconvenience for them and their families,” Letang stressed.
He also mentioned that some workers facing these issues are in debt to others.
Letang asserted that the situation with management had reached a point where employees of the corporation had to take action.
However, speaking on state-owned radio DBS, Francis provided information to suggest that Public Works’ actions were fair.
“The recent disagreement between the corporation and the union resulted from action taken by some daily paid employees during the period of September 13 to 19, 2024,” he revealed.
He explained that in a statement issued by the General Secretary of the DPSU on October 23, 2024, Mr. Letang claimed, “the daily paid employees some time ago decided to express their dissatisfaction and reported to work. However, they were not actively engaged in the task that they were to carry out and as a result, management took the decision not to pay them for that week”
Francis continued, “The fact of the matter is that the employees in question were not paid for the week due to the following reasons: 1. the employees reported to the workplace but blatantly refused to work, despite the efforts of the supervisor to engage them. 2 the action taken by the employees caused the loss of revenue to the corporation in the estimated amount of $90,000.”
Furthermore, he explained that road maintenance leading to the 46th Anniversary celebration of Dominica’s independence was severely hampered by the actions of the employees.
“The employees did not inform the union of their proposed action and no dispute was declared between the corporation and the union,” Francis remarked.
According to Francis, based on the information given above the corporation is satisfied that the decision not to pay the employees for the period that they refused to work, is justified.
“All other payments were made to them,” he revealed.
Additionally, Francis noted that the corporation continues to maintain its relationship with the union and in so doing always ensures that the union is invited to meetings organized for the staff to which the union responds positively.
He said the union and the corporation continue to dialogue on the various issues affecting the employees.
Francis went on to state that other implementations have been affected by the lack of financial resources.
However, he stated that the corporation will continue to pursue its goal of creating a viable and sustainable entity to positively contribute toward the country’s program of national development.
But wait nuh since the beginning of the year how much no-bid Contracts of Public works Department Jobs went to private contractors???
But wait nuh there is still what they consider that section of the labor force Nuh???
But allyou need to remember those financial institutions Titus Francis Worked he was he touch money yeh!!!
See is mistadem dat have Dominica the way it is there you know remember when he Ran on the Alliance ticket???
Garcan
you cannot put fish in front of a cat
My advise to the gentleman is get out while he can. Everything he put his hands on fails.