The Dominica Public Service Union is aware that the Government has issued a statement of its intention to appoint some non-established officers to established positions without any mention that this came about as a result of a proposal submitted by the DPSU in respect of salary negotiations for the triennium 2021/2024. This announcement comes as the Union and Government are seeking to conclude negotiations and at a time when this particular proposal is being finalized. The status of Non- established workers has been a long standing matter that the DPSU has taken up in previous negotiations as the Union believes a majority of positions therein should long be on the permanent establishment.
While we appreciate that the proposal was met with additional positions being approved than what was originally proposed by the Union, to refuse to reference that discussion on this matter is mainly as a result of the Union’s proposal during ongoing negotiations makes it appear that the Government of Dominica has placed itself in a position to take full credit for this development. The Union views this as unfair and as an attempt to undermine and deliberately conceal the efforts of the DPSU in representing public officers.
Furthermore, there is the mutual understanding that public pronouncements r and media statements about negotiations would have been limited to just providing information or general updates.
The DPSU holds the view that at the end of the negotiation exercise all agreed proposals which formed part of a total package would be reported to the media. Selective reporting when negotiations are ongoing is not in keeping the norm.
The Dominica Public Service Union Executive implores its members to continue placing their confidence in the Union’s leadership and to stand by the guidance which it will provide as negotiations continue.
The DPSU will not waiver in its effort to advocate and negotiate for all non-established public officers to be treated and appointed as established employees, thereby abolishing this long outdated colonial nomenclature which is considered as being discriminatory and unfair.
Meanwhile a general membership meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, JuneĀ 3, 2025, at 4:30 PM to discuss salary negotiations.
It is reasonable to question selective public announcements while discussions are ongoing. Open and honest communication, with mutual respect for agreed protocols, is essential to building trust between public officials and the Government.
I once heard Thomas Letang,a supporter of UWP say he had Skerrit and his government by their BALLS.Now it seems Skerrit and his government have Letang by his BALLS.