DPSU announces ‘go slow’; threatens industrial action

DPSU members give Letang a standing ovation

General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas Letang has instructed public officers to embark on “a go slow” to force the government to respond to its salary proposal.

Letang told public officers at a meeting at DPSU headquarters on Thursday afternoon, that the government is yet to respond to its salary demands which he regards as a form of disrespect to the union.

A few weeks ago, the DPSU called its members to a meeting to address on salary issues and other working conditions in the public service. The union advised its members to wear yellow and orange shirts to work every Friday.

Letang said that form of protest action will continue. However, Letang said the union was upgrading its protest action.

“Starting tomorrow (May 31, 2019) and until Monday June 3, 2019 we are going to embark on  go slow whereby we will reduce our working input by 60%. So you report to work but there will be a go slow…we want your working input to be reduced by 60 [%],” Letang said.

He said the DPSU executive will meet on Thursday June 6, 2019 to review the situation.

“And we are giving the government of Dominica until Tuesday June 11, 2019 to meet our demands to call us to the negotiating table and to respond to our concerns,” The DPSU leader announced. “After June 11, 2019 we will call you again and it will not be any go slow. It is going to be something bigger, better, harder and more serious than go slow; we are going to take enhanced industrial action.”

Letang addresses meeting

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31 Comments

  1. Joseph John
    June 3, 2019

    Why all that talk. We want action now. Strike already.
    We want 60% pay for 60% work. We want no pay for no work.
    Shut down the country for 97 days with no pay.
    We will have no money and no food or medicals. We all will suffer big time. Children will die. Because that is what Latang wants. And what Latang wants Latang gets.
    I hope he has an emergency fund to pay strikers and a source of food to feed the nation because the chaos will make Maria look like a light breeze.
    Then you can blame Skerrit. Me, I will seek compensation in the courts. I will sue Latang and the CSA executive for all they do not have. I will employ both Dyer and Astaphan. So go ahead STRIKE…now.

  2. Youth
    June 2, 2019

    So it seems like striking is only illegal in Dominica.. I don’t understand Dominica! I really don’t get it! St. Lucians strike all the time, Grenadians, The French.. When will Dominicans open their eyes.. And everything is not politics!

  3. Joseph John
    June 2, 2019

    Well its time for strike ACTION again. 40 years without a strike is too dam long. We want some real action this time close down the country for 97 days without pay. You do not have to go slow or go fast you just have to go on strike. Skerrit will suffer and Letang will become President. Wow. Great plan. No work no pay. For 60 % go slow 75% salary will be paid. You can tell your party followers not to work but you cannot tell the government how to pay. You have no authority over the government. So go ahead. STRIKE. Show boat your power. Let us see what you can do. We really want to see how this thing works out. After Maria Skerrit will need an other crisis to improve his crisis management skills. A strike during the hurricane season would be ideal. PERFECT. In 1979 Skerrit was only about 7 years old so he has no experience with strike action. Its time for him to learn. So let the game begin. You want a strike so people can suffer then you can put all the blame on him. The Blame Game

  4. Tetecarlbass
    May 31, 2019

    It was about time Mr. Letang behave like a real man who is in charge of the most powerful union in Dominica, instead of acting like a zarman.

    • Joseph John
      June 2, 2019

      Yes you are in charge. You are the big bad dog. Woff, woff, woff. Attack and bite the nation into submission and everyone will honour you like a hero. You can then declare yourself as the Executive President of Dominica. No more Prime Minister. You will be the big boss. Everyone will be working for you. CNN will come and interview you. Come on STRIKE for 97 days without pay. Let all the members of your party go A.W.O.L

  5. May 31, 2019

    The leader of the opposition has promised to increase the salaries of public servants, the leadership of the Union is supporting the UWP. The UWP is highly confident that it will form the next government, elections will be held within a year and civil servants are not starving. So Letang and Union members should just wait until the UWP is elected so that they can get what they want.

    • ibo france
      May 31, 2019

      Anon, this money is needed yesterday, can’t wait. Things are so bad that people can’t even afford to pay attention. You have recommended that the public servants should wait approximately one year when the election is likely to be called. Many are likely to go to the Great Beyond during that waiting period. The most successful and profitable business in Dominica presently is done by the funeral parlours.

  6. Rt
    May 31, 2019

    Some public officers waste so much time while executing their duties how much slower can you guys get. You guys seems to be forgetting the non salary benifits. Go follow Kerang and see who loses out

  7. JP
    May 31, 2019

    Government should pay thomas the rest of his contract if there is one in on file, and fire him.

  8. confused
    May 31, 2019

    Majority of Government workers were already on “go slow” so thank you Mr. Letang for confirming it

  9. River Street
    May 31, 2019

    Letang you’re late. Your members have already been on a go slow,any slower is a full stop.
    Tardiness, inattentive to the public’s needs, hanging out in Roseau during working hours, high and drunk on the job; really Letang as a leader you’ve missed the boat.

  10. Janis H
    May 31, 2019

    Slower still! Man you should have asked them to fall dead at the desk.

  11. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    May 31, 2019

    “whereby we will reduce our working input by 60%. So you report to work but there will be a go slow”

    Guy even if you go for a reduction of 95%; Roosevelt will not budged!

    The alternative is a total civil service strike; how many years have you been dealing with Roosevelt who is the government;  that boy Roosevelt is not listening, nor hearing anything the civil servants request.

    The only way you will get Roosevelt attention, is  to put the heat on even if it requires shutting the country down by calling a general strike, necessary at this time!

    In a situation of a general strike depending on how long it last, will cause hardship, nevertheless not more than the peanut change wage the civil servants are living with right now, while all of the politicians makes millions from whatever corrupted source.

    The power is the Civil Service which is the Government; not the dictator Roosevelt!

    • Joseph John
      June 2, 2019

      Yes Letang no 60% go 100% for 97 days. Just think of the millions you will be making by the end of that 97 days. Just say the word, you have the power.
      Very good advise from this learnt gentleman.

  12. TangledWeave
    May 31, 2019

    It possible for government employees to work slower than how they working now?

    • Me
      May 31, 2019

      Oh yes, they could work in reverse.

  13. wooooooooooow
    May 31, 2019

    But they was always on a go slow.

  14. Stephen Nicholas
    May 31, 2019

    I am in solidarity with you all my brothers and sisters.
    Hold on strong

  15. flat tire
    May 31, 2019

    You all have been on a go slow for a very long time to allow a government and prime minister to blatantly and openly victimize and intimidate employees while having the lowest salaries in the ECCU. Worst when it appears that they government ministers are doing well for themselves

  16. Lin clown
    May 31, 2019

    Government should not negotiate with DPSU untill Thomas THE BALLS Letang resign as General Secretary.This guy is a UWP Political PUPPET.

  17. A Blast from
    May 31, 2019

    The Late great Artist formerly know as PRINCE sang “Party like it’s1999” was written b4 1999. It was to usher in the yr 2000. So Mr. Letang Let’s strike bigger than 1979 40 th anniversary year. Who knows! The initiator of locking down the country might very well do Degazon like in 1979 or a Manuel Zelaya in ((Pyjamas) In the same breath LL alias our local Larry King will hopefully jump in as P.M??????? with the Whatabout in true dress code suspenders and all. hahahahahhaha. What did Oscar Wilde when he wrote that “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life”? Simply put this quote is from the Decay of lying.(1891) In Dice’s- Aaron’s composition winning calypso hit 2019, one line said “There is always another foolish politician waiting to take over.” This may have pass over the heads of many-not me got a radar for spotting BS. anywhere ,anytime. Who are the foolish ones waiting???? I am of the (strong opinion & intransigent at that) the current regime and it’s…

  18. As I see it
    May 31, 2019

    It’s a battle between the wickedness of Roosevelt Skerrit that regards neither God now man, verses the “Feel good talks” of Mr. Thomas Letang that respects God, man and authority. Right now the wickedness of Skerrit is outrunning the ‘feel good talk’ of Mr. Thomas Letang.

  19. No Show
    May 31, 2019

    I am a very disappointed Public servant. At our last rally Mr. Letang made mention of holding people by their balls but it seems that is Skerrit that holding him by his …… After the last rally he told us this: “If we have another rally and no action, it will be S-T-R-I-K-E. I did not say strike; I spelt a word to you,” Letang stated.” We had another rally yesterday and he said “Go slow.”
    I love Mr Letang but honestly speaking he behaving like a woman that is well prime and ready for business but the man did not show up and you know that kind of feeling. We showed up, we were ready but Mr. Letang did not show up. Right now I think it’s too late

  20. Spirit of Fear
    May 31, 2019

    Go slow starting today to Monday 3rd, Tuesday executive of DPSU meets and on the 11th, a decision will be taken? Wow! wow, Wow! I have never seen anyone beat iron when the iron is cold. The iron was very hot yesterday and you did not bend the iron? 13 days later you want to meet to take a decision? I think you should have sought counsel from Charles Savarin before you spoke yesterday because Charles Savarin knows how to beat iron when it’s hot better than anyone in the Caribbean

  21. Outside looking in
    May 31, 2019

    I think the intention is good but I have to question the intended effect. How can you go slow from the 5/31/19 to 6/3/19?Technically that’s one day since most of the public sector is closed over the weekend. Why not from Monday to Friday or is this just a show?

  22. May 31, 2019

    Reduce the salaries by 60% for the days of the go slow. How can one expect to be paid when they publicly state that 60% of the work will not be done. This is robbery.

  23. Truth Be Told
    May 31, 2019

    General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas Letang please be informed that the French ‘Mouvement des gilets jaunes’, the yellow vests movement, do not “advise its members to wear yellow and orange shirts to work every Friday… or go on go slow”! Instead, they take to the streets in protest action and confront the authorities. They are not afraid to take a stand against the authorities and stand up for their rights and what they believe. You sir should grow some balls and take a stand for the Dominica Civil and Public Service workers. We may not like President Charles Severin betrayal today, but back in the 1970s he knew how to agitate the Government of the day and take a stand on behalf of the working class. You could learn from Trade Unionist Charles Severin back in the 1970s! Take this failing government down! You all tolerated this nonsense government for far too long, just look at the damage to Dominica and its civil and public services! It’s a mess!

  24. poverty
    May 31, 2019

    What go slow you talking about. Mr.Letang shut down the country and demand what you want. We have been hearing this same song for years and it seems like the Government is taking you all for a joke. If you really want the government to stop wasting money giving handout for votes and give it to the people who actually work for it, SHUT DOWN THE COUNTRY.

  25. Fan Chu Yo
    May 31, 2019

    Well considering public servants have been giving 40% input for the past 10 years I can only imagine what a further 60% from those unprofessional public servants will look like :lol: :lol:

  26. ibo france
    May 31, 2019

    Cost of living has long outstripped public servants salary. Most public service workers are living from pay cheque to pay cheque . They have extreme difficulties to put food on the table; to meet their monthly financial obligations; to save from their meagre salaries for a rainy day and to enjoy the finer things in life. The government believes that the workers will never go on a work stoppage because of the fear of losing their jobs. An increase in pay for civil servants is long overdue. They have been waiting for years. Ministers of government, ambassadors and their ilk are living champagne lifestyles while hard working public servants catching hell. The poor can take no more. Time for real action. Be united in your efforts to get the respect and the benefits you so richly deserve. Enough already!

  27. Kermit
    May 30, 2019

    Thomas working nah? Go and listen to Thomas that doesnt have anything to lose.

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