General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas Letang has expressed the need for a steering committee for a trade union congress in Dominica. Letang who was speaking during the Creole Heartbeat Program held recently said unionists in Dominica are not taking this with the level of seriousness that it deserves.
There are many benefits of the congress which include a single, unified voice speaking on behalf of the various unions. The TUC will merge local trade unions into one entity and will represent a greater and stronger voice for trade unions.
“The PSU had a position that we would have been able to bring some of the other trade unions together and we would have at least tried to set up a steering committee for a trade union congress,” he said. “I must say, that it hurts me, I am in pain to see it, that it appears that some trade unionists are not taking this in with the level of the seriousness that it deserves.”
According to him, the initiative to establish a Trade Union Congress started before the advent of e-mail.
“What we had at that time was typewriters and fax machines,” Letang explained. “Before 2001 several attempts were made with the Dominica Public Service Union and the Waterfront and Allied Workers Union heading that effort.”
He continued, “In 2008 a draft constitution prepared by [the late] Kertiste Augustus and myself was circulated among the trade unions.”
Moreover, Letang said the effort has been frustrating because of backbiting, open, unfair, and unnecessary criticism, and a lack of constructive contribution.
The DPSU held its general meeting on Thursday.
If the DPSU, the biggest union in the land cant make prudent decisions and effectively represent its members then how the hell can it reliably perform as part of a congress? This is pure BS if you ask me. The DPSU needs to grab the bull by its manhood and do what is right. Represent your people effectively as a union and quit trying to find “others” to hide behind. We pay you to represent us so while collective actions are good we need to start doing our own thig like day before yesterday.
Don’t worry yourself too much, Mr Letang. They disregard it at their own peril. They seem to forget the old, tested and proven saying that ” in UNITY there’s strength “. When they will awaken from their deep slumber it may just be too late.
Respectfully submitted.
Just like a lawyer is to his client, a trade union is to its members. A strong, active and vibrant union is always an asset for workers in these times of unfair wages, bad working conditions, etc cetera.
A Trade Union Congress where all unions are affiliated, is an excellent idea. There is power in numbers. The larger the number the greater the power. However, one of the most difficult things to achieve in Dominica, is unity of purpose. The country is so politically fractured that not even for their best interest would the people come together.The powers that be like it so as they continue their demolition job of the country unscathed.
Mr. Letting needs to gratefully exit the executive after near thirty consecutive years in the apex position. Let a new breed of younger and more vibrant trade unionists pilot the ship.
I am 60 years old. Since I was about 20, if not before, Dominican trade unionists have been talking about a trade union congress.
That is the definition of Espwa Mal Papay.