Following a one-day protest action of bus drivers and with threats of the continuation of such action if their demands were not met, several bus drivers have confirmed with Dominica News Online (DNO) that they have reached an agreement with the Government of Dominica.
Shortly before 7 am, on Monday, April 12, 2021, several bus drivers mainly from the west coast, gathered in Massacre and embarked on a “go-slow” protest action moving at 1 km/h which resulted in a backup of traffic for many hours.
Bus operators were hoping that in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent rise in the price of fuel, their actions would force the government to provide an acceptable stimulus package as has been done with several other sectors.
The night before Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had cautioned the bus drivers that if they proceeded with such actions all negotiations would be off the table. When the bus drivers ignored his warning and went ahead with their protest, the Prime Minister said it was unjustified and politically motivated.
According to him, “While we are committed to assisting them, people must not believe they can go and do these things and I will run and tell [them] come look a cheque. That’s not how I operate; they should use a different strategy. Not because you see this happening in other countries, you can believe it will happen here, not under the leadership of Roosevelt Skerrit.”
However several bus drivers have confirmed with DNO that the same afternoon of the protest they met with the prime minister and were offered a stimulus package as well as easier access to the loans at the Agricultural Industrial and Development (AID) Bank which was one of their initial concerns.
According to two of the five-man delegate that met with Mr. Skerrit and the national security minister Rayburn Blackmoore, a one-time stimulus package of between four thousand (4000) and six thousand (6000) EC dollars was considered.
Though Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Mahaut Bus Drivers Association, Warrel St. Jean, did not disclose the amount, he expressed satisfaction with the agreement and stated that the grant will be presented to all bus drivers within the next week or week and a half.
“It was a very good meeting and we are all pleased with the outcome and we’re happy that the government could meet with us and discuss the way forward,” St. Jean said.
Our attempts to reach the prime minister and the minister responsible for transportation for comment on the meeting with the bus drivers have so far been unsuccessful.
Meantime, bus driver Esrom George, who was seen, in a widely circulated video, being attacked by a group of police men and at some point, being kicked by of them, has confirmed to DNO that he will be seeking redress.
Though he said d did not wish to comment further as he’s consulting with his attorney, George did allege that one officer knelt on his neck for a few minutes which resulted in him having to use a neck brace.
IBO,whose money is it.Our money,Skerrit money or JUMBIE MONEY?The same CBI money you and your CLONED BABOONS ,% and Viewsexpressed were critizing,are now on your hands and knees BEGGING.JUMBIE money my A.
DNO continues to disappointment.
No mention to the fact that the objection the Govt had in the first place was in regards to ensuring that ALL bits drivers benefited and not just the bus owners.
Some own multiple buses, and they must ensure that funds also go to the drivers of their buses.
This very important fact does not seem to be of concern to most of these commentators, But DNO pretending to be a news broadcasters can’t even do basic contextualisation of information.
Boyy look journalism. You doe know people will ask the simple easy question, is it just for the Mahaut fellas or all bus drivers. Oh boy I walking dong de road to find out.
Mr. Prime minister. I have admired your leadership and how you work under pressure. But sometimes we have to teach big kids how to behave as adults. How to handle situations like adults and all it all how to handle responsibilities like adults.
An open meeting for all to see….
Bus drivers: sir this is my situation…this is why I am expressing my disapproval.
Prime minister: I have a family as well. We have our expenses as well I can relate ect. This is why we the government have considered an alternative approach to assist ect
You said you dont like how they went along now you’ve calm the fire by condoning the actions of the unmannerly behavior of father grandfathers and great grandfathers who still needs to grow up.
Well done sir. Well done.
Wait for the next strike because this one was successful.
The young police officer that was kicking the helpless guy on the ground suspend him skerritt.
“George did allege that one officer knelt on his neck for a few minutes which resulted in him having to use a neck brace. ”
So, here we have it; the want to be like them syndrome!
The so-called police who knelt on this man’s neck is an idiot; he is following to what he saw Derek Chauvin did to George Floyd’s in Minneapolis.
However, that idiot should realize that Chauvin is on trial for murder, and is most likely to spend the rest of his life in jail!
In this case “George” the Dominica victim of this illegal use of force should sue that little Dominica rat, want to be like Derek Chauvin of Minneapolis; for what he has on his back; if he has nothing to take away such as house and land his lawyer should seek a court order to garnish his monthly salary until he pay’s off the millions George should demand in his law suit!
Another concern is how can there be a set:
UWP Bus Drivers supporters should not receive any stimulus package these people are all a disgrace to Dominica, how will bus drivers from the South Coast feel? They to should get money not only the North should get I am a true supporter of labour government and will die Labour but I am sick as a parrot UWP supporters receiving stimulus package it should not be allowed after the way those hooligans and UWP hyenas hijack the unlawfully protest.
I would also like to ask DNO what have you done with my post 15/4/21
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You posting and you looking for posting , what nonsense that.
By right none of your crap should be published. You are a disgusting creature, dog!
How is it that bus drivers are getting stimulus packages like the ain’t got no job or making no money at all even due to the pandemic there was lines and lines of people in town who most likely took bus to reach down, in other words there are people unemployed suffering and here comes the bus drivers starting drama while people who don’t have struggling… Not a job they can provide for the unemployed no matter how much vacancy wanted they still cannot get a job most children even have to drop out of school because of that yet still is one set being favored NONSENSE
I have listened to Mr. Skerrit on one of the radio stations that is a conduit for his cheap and sulfurous propaganda. The man sounds like an unlearned, stuttering juvenile.
A good leader does these two things well:
1) The good leader articulates a vision for the country clearly and coherently that even the unlettered can understand.
2) The good leader unites the country in order to use the collective brain power of every citizen and resident to develop the country.
Do we see these two attributes in the man at the top of the food chain? You he the judge.
Ibo, your joke is getting stale get yourself a job Linton cannot do anything for you “loser”
Congratulations to the bus drivers in reaching and achieving their goal.
Nothing does not change without a revolution…
Is that for all bus drivers or just those under the Mahaut Association?
I will not open my mouth in bus drivers and Skerrit joke because these bus drivers remind me of that farmer from the La plain constituency that was beaten by a government minister for dashes and as soon as Skerrit them decided to give him a little house to shut him up, the poor man said If he knew he would he was getting a house he would have taken his blows longtime. These guys are not serious. You join them today and as soon as Skerrit buys them he using the same drivers to curse those supporting them
@More blows
The word is “””dasheen”””.
DNO I appreciate this article but have you ever seen an agreement without term, conditions and signature? DNO why didn’t you have Warrel St. Jean, to give you a copy of the agreement so your readers could see? An agreement based on he say? Come on man we must stop being children man. Skerrit knew bus drivers were protesting and if he was serious he would have walked with a written agreement so all parties could sign on it, so should the terms of agreement is broken people could have something to stand on. But he say, PM say, Skerrit say agreement? Skerrit treating all you as little boys he can give a chip toy to anytime all you 😢 crying
Meanwhile, small business owners are still suffering and waiting for help. Mr. Skerrit if you can ease the way to the AID bank for the bus drivers, then ease the way for the small business people as well.
What a country! The bus drivers’ association appears to be a disorganized group of a hurriedly put together group of volunteers instead of a closely knit organization of a serious and determined group of people with the same objectives, goals and aims.
This loose group of people will easily be manipulated by a man (Skerrit) who weaponizes division against his own people. The bus drivers need skilled negotiators to rebuff Skerrit’s bluff.
By the way bus drivers, how can you so readily negotiate with a man whose armed bandits almost senselessly beat one of your own to death? It’s as though this victim’s life has no value.
Mr. Skerrit has the Dominican people so desperately in need that a meagre handout of a promised few (4 to 6) thousand dollars is worth a severe besting to near death.
lbo: my conclusion is simply this; someone soled their soul for money; they are now owned by Roosevelt Skerrit!
One or a few of them will benefit; the money they owe on their van will be paid off, while others will continue to suffer.
“There is a traitor on board examine the horns.”
I learn that in the quote perhaps the second day I attended kindergarten, where the British taught us about the party aboard a ship for all the animals with solid horns; animals without horns could not participate.
If you old like me, and attended kindergarten in Dominica you must have learn that same folktale; perhaps me girlfriend the little twelve year old teacher Elizabeth must have taught that to her students too.
Did you teacher “Liz” Elizabeth!
“Not under the leadership of Roosevelt Skerrit”
Not even a day passed and the great lord of DA and the anointed king buckled. See the only language these distinguished delinquents and cowards understand?
Now to see IF and WHEN these monies will be paid.
HOTEP!
Guys be very observant and don’t be caught in a false sense of comfort, you have challenged Skerrit and he does not like that one bit. He is very vindictive and divisive. Don’t be surprised if some of you will not get your licence renewed next time.
This is how COWARD Skerrit is! He is even scared of a shach-shack head.Skerrit is a shack-shack head Scotland Yard or FBI? I am just asking! He (Skerrit) only learns when people take to the streets.Reasons why i’m always asking for “Boots on the ground”. Going forward, i suggest any organisation or group meeting with Skerrit, leave the meeting with something written, and not just oral agreements. Skerrit is an inveterate and compulsive liar.What is so despicable about his lies is that he do it with a devilish smile on his face.
My disappointment with the bus drivers though, is that they should all agree that the man who was battered by the thugs and hooligans in police uniform, should get at least $50.00 extra from each bus driver..He was the HERO!!.He did it for others who did not participate, but will benefit from his abuse! How many of those drivers will even call him?
Finally i still believe that his abuse by the Manicou gang, of the police force, should be challenged in…
Police need to be policed. George Floyd was killed because police kneeled on his neck. Meanwhile in Dominica we allow them to just do what they want. There are more people in Dominica than police officers. Police are usually cowards and violate people’s rights because they have the support of other police officers. Police men and women here desperately need to be physchologically evaluated on a regular basis. Psychopaths with guns. also, police found guilty of crimes should never be allowed to stay on the job, Same for Customs Officers. I heard the customs officer found in fond cole with weed and guns is still on the job. Remember the guy they killed in portsmouth in the station? heard the female officer involved is still a police at traffic dept. what is wrong here in dominica?
@click here
But you have a disgraceful minister of national security, who has refused to condemn the thugs and hooligans parading as policemen. Blackmore is morally unfit to hold any ministry!!!!
I maintain those semi illiterates thugs should be challenged in court…, a subdued man being kicked like a dog??? Had it been my brother, i would take a trip to HAITI…!!
“There are more people in Dominica than police” you could have fool me, Linton, and his looney bin supporters are all law enforcement officers good for nothing else but Rum shop crap on DNO and Facebook, very sad people like snowflakes most of them do not know their real fathers most likely a bus driver! 🙊 🤣 🤣 🤣