DPSU executive to update members on salary negotiations today

DPSU members at a previous union meeting

The executive of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) union will meet with its members today to update them on the ongoing issue of salary negotiations.

The DPSU has been in negotiations with the government of Dominica for the period 2018-2021 and its executive has reported that there were delays in a response to their proposal that was submitted on December, 20th 2018 in respect to salary negotiations.

General Secretary of the union, Thomas Letang, says it has been 19 months since the beginning of the Triennium and to-date, there still isn’t clarity on government’s proposal as it relates to salaries. It has been said that emphasis has been predominantly on productivity and performance in the public service and rationalization of allowances. He said members have been expressing their “grave” disappointment with the process.

“The DPSU has convened a special meeting with its members on Tuesday 19th, November 2019 at 4:30 pm at the DPSU building to update them and for the membership to decide what the next steps would be,” Letang said. “Prior to tomorrow’s meeting, we had an executive meeting and we have taken a position which will be taken to the members when we meet tomorrow.”

He continued, “We had to do a number of things to even get an acknowledgement of our letter to the government. That included a number of general meetings, rallies and we eventually heard from  the government and following the acknowledgement what we got from them made no mention of salary issues or a proposed increase for public officers.”

Letang said the union made it clear to the government that while they are willing to work with them to see increased performance in the public service, because, at the end of it, the country, the union and everyone is going to benefit, “…we cannot run from the fact that negotiations is the substantive issue that we are discussing and therefore that matter has to be on the table.”

He explained that two weeks ago, when the union met with the government, that was not on the agenda, “and we excused ourselves from the meeting, had a discussion among ourselves and that is the DPSU team.”

Letang further explained that twelve months before the end of a collective agreement, either party, the government or the union, can indicate to the other side its intention to negotiate on behalf of employees, what to negotiate and come up with ideas.

“What we are asking for on behalf of our members have nothing to do with the fact that it is negotiation year and also it is not influenced by whatever we decide,” he stated.

Letang mentioned that there are principles and practices the union must adhere to and no matter how people look at it whether it is going to affect [it] in one way or the other, [it] has absolutely nothing to do with elections.

“Our proposal is not based on who is in power or who is not in power. Before and long after elections, we will still be negotiating on behalf of members,” he pointed out.

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4 Comments

  1. November 20, 2019

    What happen to my comment.

    ADMIN: It was published…

  2. November 19, 2019

    Why didn’t you all do all of that before election time here you have the president of uwp saying that the pm should not address the nation I wonder who you are negotiating with or this is just a political move just as the house have been dissolved you call a walk out why was this not done before to put pressure on the government I think that this poor leader ship on the DPSU part putting your members and their family out like you are using them as barging chip.

  3. Ibo France
    November 19, 2019

    It’s obviously clear that the Misleader has no intention of giving public servants any sort of increase in wages or salaries. Let them keep on begging for handouts. By this strategy of dependency I’ll always be firmly in control. That’s Skerrit’s thinking. If public servants are denied a salary top-up before the upcoming election then not even a 1cent raise after. This devious and dark hearted man can go island hopping with boat loads of red deep-dyed supporters but refuses to bring relief for hard working public servants. He’s such a bizarre creature.

  4. Bravo
    November 19, 2019

    But his is it letang and his colleagues expect to negotiate with government at this point in time, when actuality we don’t really have an official government? If they claim it is not a politically motivates move then y not wait till immediately after elections when a new government is instituted? How can a government that’s not officially in office after house is dissolved make such salary decisions? This isn’t fitting some way some how so I don’t understand how its not politically motivated and doesn’t have to do with the imminent elations.

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