A challenge has been thrown out to the 75-year-old Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), to reconsider its position with respect to the impact of technology and social media on the future of the union.
Former General Secretary of the Civil Service Association (CSA), Alvin Thomas, made the call at the formal opening of the DPSU’s 7th Biennial Delegates Conference on Wednesday night.
He said the impact of technology cannot go unnoticed.
“The impact of technology and social media has on the work place and society at large cannot go unnoticed…because of technologies and its influence on our lives we need to reconsider our relationship with them,” he said.
According to Thomas, this is a “new way” of building and fostering solidarity on issues of common concern.
“Is there room for social media in the way the union conduct its business in the future and building solidarity among its members? This is something that you may wish to consider and deliberate on,” he stated.
He continued, “the point I’m trying to bring across to you, is to underscore the impact that technology is having in accelerating the pace of life as well as the consequential impact that social media will play even in the labor movement as we attempt in shaping the future and building solidarity. My advice therefore is do not panic, if you resist technology, you lose, if you ignore technology, you lose, if you deny technology, you lose.”
The former General Secretary is also batting for greater inclusion of the youth and women in union matters.
“The future of the DPSU will be dependent on the greater involvement and inclusion of this new and youthful generation of workers,” he noted. “We must constantly find new ways of keeping our young members energized and involved. They are going to be the torch bearers that will help shape the future of the union.”
He argued that in this new era, the union cannot go forward with a narrow interest.
“In this era of globalization the public sector workers and union members in particular, cannot afford to approach this global economy from a narrow interest in mind,” Thomas said. “The common good and solidarity of all workers will be paramount at all levels within the union … there has to be that common good and the coming together of this new generation of workers, in other to effectively respond to the impact and the challenges of globalization.”
On another note, Delia Cuffy Weekes, Reginald St. Havis Shillingford, Sharron Harris, Paul Miller, Anthony Durand, Mervin Anthony and current DPSU General Secretary, Thomas Letang, were recognized and given a plaque for their profound commitment to the DPSU.
Simply put, technology is a way of life which also intertwines with social media.
In this era, we cannot do without technology. We must get with it and utilize it. Once this is done, everything becomes easier than first thought of.
First, we take small steps and then bigger ones to be able to comprehend and utilize technology of today.
While I get frustrated with consistent upgrading, it is imperative that we keep up with the times. Otherwise we will be left behind and never progress.
is Thomas Letang President for life?
Thomas Letang is not President, he is general secretary.