DPSU declares Friday Day of Solidarity

PWC workers have been holding protest action for weeks now
PWC workers have been holding protest action for weeks now

The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) has declared this Friday June, 19 as a day of solidarity for the “victimized, disrespected and unfairly treated” employees of the Public Works Corporation (PWC) and all workers who are being victimized.

General Secretary of the DPSU Thomas Letang, said the executive committee of the union convened a special meeting on Thursday, June 11 to discuss the situation at the Public Works Corporation (PWC) and it was agreed a day of solidarity was needed.

“Satisfied that the employees are not being treated in a fair and reasonable manner, the Executive decided to declare Friday 19th June 2015 a day of solidarity with employees of the Public Works Corporation and all other employees who are being disrespected, victimized and unfairly treated,” he said.

The DPSU is now calling on all employees, relatives and friends of abused and ill-treated employees, including those at the PWC, to “wear some visible black item preferably a top or a black ribbon on that day as an expression of solidarity with such oppressed workers.”

Letang stated that the DPSU views with “much concern” what is rapidly becoming a “habit” of disregarding what union leaders and concerned citizens, past and present, have fought so vigorously to eliminate.

That is “all forms of victimization and disrespect of employees, the unconscionable violation of the constitutional right of employees to join and belong to trade unions, unsatisfactory and inhumane terms and conditions of employment and failure by employers to discuss and disclose decisions which directly or indirectly affect employees.”

Employees of the PWC have been protesting late salaries, non-payment of Social Security contributions, hazardous working environments, among others concerns for a number of weeks now. They are also concerned that a MOU, that would address such matters, has not been signed.

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13 Comments

  1. tony
    June 18, 2015

    I for one will stand in protest I hve been victimized on the port and so too allot of other staff. Too often we remain silent and take shit under the ceo of port who thinks he owns port. De time is now and I say de ceo of Ports must go. He finks he is god and cuz he hiding for the ministers port is his home and he can do what he wants. Port staff are fed up and we are saying go. Time to bring back Vessy.

  2. BLACK FOR SURE
    June 17, 2015

    We will all be wearing black on Friday, because Friday is a day for mourning, our Former President will be laid to rest in Grandbay on that day.

  3. Shameless
    June 17, 2015

    Good job Mr. Letang. I see those cahunas of yours are getting bigger. Hopefully they will yield results. However, this PWC “maco” strike is useless as it is NOT yielding results. Decisive actions are required and for that to happen it will need more than a day of solidarity. The PWC workers need to take a que from Bawi and do what it takes to have their grieviances addressed, NOT heard because we all have heard them.

    The PWC employees have all equipment, friends, family, union members etc at their disposal to effect reasonable action to get the cabal’s attention. I am not advocating violence but rather recognize that effective protesting is the only way of getting results in Dominica today. There comes a time when we should STOP behaving like our national bird (talkative parrot) and do what it takes. According to Hon. Blessings, I watching King!

    Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

  4. Mary Mary
    June 17, 2015

    5 comments, let’s see how many wear black on Friday. Don’t know why all union leaders and opposition leaders won’t just stop, and leave Dominicans alone to enjoy their hardship. Clearly Dominicans are not interested in standing up for their rights.

  5. too late
    June 16, 2015

    Good move letang
    DNO can u add a feature where a person can change their thumb up or thumb down? I gave a red clinic recipient and skerrit posterior licking fool a thumb up and i dont think ill be able to sleep tonight.

    • Lang Mama
      June 16, 2015

      Lol you got me cracking up. Let the fool takes thumbs up . Ia sure that foo don’t know the difference so don’t sweat it.

    • Moine Meme
      June 17, 2015

      hahahahaha boy you killing me
      hahahahaha

      • Moine Meme
        June 17, 2015

        or girl

    • Shameless
      June 17, 2015

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Welcome to my world.

      Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

  6. Dominican
    June 16, 2015

    Why won’t the board and management meet with the union to discuss the terms of layoffs. If people have to go then so be it but at least pay them what’s due to them. This is going on for too long.

  7. concerned
    June 16, 2015

    Mr Letang u got over 2000 members. I think it time u call on them to stand with the pwc employees.. Family n friends is not enough. It time to end this so people can move on.

  8. dayandnightvision
    June 16, 2015

    Letang and the Executive of the PSU must tale a critical look of what is going on in the various work environments, and within the DPSU. The affected workers are not looking out for their own interest. Letang himself is more concerned with the Opposition UWP. He forgot when he used to meet them behind closed doors prior to the 2009 general elections? For him to get results he has to not only to seem to appear neutral but he must be neutral. Leave the partisan politics out of Trade Union business.

    • Proud Dominican
      June 17, 2015

      Dayandnightvision I find you know alot I guess you were the secretary at the meetings held behind closed doors or you had some part to play in the meeting. Thanks for informing the public.

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