What the Dominica Public Service Union is describing as satisfactory government reaction to on-going salary negotiations has prompted the DPSU to take the option of industrial action off the table.
There’ll be no strike action against the Roosevelt Skerrit administration, the union’s members were told on Wednesday evening at the opening of the trade union’s biennial conference.
The DPSU, which represents the largest body of public servants in Dominica, threatened industrial action against government recently.
The union said at the time that it was dissatisfied with the state of salary negotiations and statements by government’s productivity consultant that most of the country’s public officers were inefficient.
However the DPSU General Secretary Thomas Letang told the Conference that government has responded satisfactorily to both matters.
“We indicated to government that we should get back to the negotiating table instead of waiting for the outcome of the classification exercise,” Letang said.
According to the union leader, government’s response on Tuesday was positive.
Government Productivity Consultant Parry Bellot had already officially apologised for his controversial statement that 80 per cent of public servants were not pulling their weight.
“Two days ago we had a meeting with government’s negotiating team and they agreed that we should conclude negotiation and the idea of job classification will be dealt with by itself,” Letang disclosed.
The DPSU boss says the union got the result it wanted, making any kind of industrial action unnecessary.
Mr. latang, I would like to come out and tell us what it is that the DLP gov’t promise you in private to allow you to call off the industrial actions.
Once again another Dominican has fallen for “what is in it for me and myself.”
We cannot keep doing that, there must be some strong men and women to stand up for what is right.
WHERE IS MY COMMENT ADM
Letang should not be the one to agree with whatever proposal made. .He should take what was said to him or given and take it to the membership.The membership should make the decision to accept or refuse the proposal.It is not his place to accept or refuse.
Why is the pension age moved from 60 to 65.Is there no money in the pension fund?
you get apology and government is contnuing negotiation .june is not there yet so why strike.Good move letang .You are doing a good job .Do not be distracted by those siily comments
well well some of you do not make sence.the union demands are met .so why pursue industrial action? i may not like the government but the union is smart conggrats letang and joseph
Letang what kind of decision is that – we are not totally satisfied that Public Officers understand fully where we actually are in terms of our present engagement with Government. Is there going to be added taxes whether direct or indirectly; what about the increase in VAT by 2.5 % to of set health care/insurance. What about the adjustment of the retirement age from 60 to 65; what about persons in the service who are not appointmented after many many years yet still we have political appointees who are by passing these very same people who have been substituting or in acting position. I think getting back to the negotiating table is a good thing; Parry retracting his reckless statement is in order. But there are lots of issues confronting Public Officers that require strong representation from the union.
And we will continue to watch!
fraid mr fraid
good move dpsu
That’s why you “Letang” must talk less and listen more. God gave us one mouth but two ears so that we should listen, listen, listen before we open out mouth.
you fraid de RED ARMY!!!!!
The truth is that most of these guys are afraid to go public in opposition to this Administration is because of retribution. It has happened to so many people who has expressed their outrage against the worngs in this new DLP.
You still have not given any targets for salary percentage that we are asking for.
Will there be more jobs in the public sector?
Was there a written agreement?
In this day and age we need to step-up to modern ways of dealing with Gov’t.
The reasons you are giving are not satisfactory.
Well this DPSU leadership needs to be fired, he is no longer looking out for the interests of his membership. Trade unionism in Dominica need some new blood to keep employers in check. These days employers do what they want with their workers and there is nothing that can be done about it. No good representation exists in DA!
would you do it better. good strategy letang .you are gettting your way ,if you are gettting results then there is no need to continue with industrial action
sa kwe sort .if it was another party you would not say so.psu is threatening and skerritt is agreeing with them.dominica should therefore be spared the the possibility of industrial action good move psu
Let’s hope so. Hope you were not using WOODEN GLASSES & POWDER BRAIN. We eTching as it unfolds.
Hmmmmm………..i’m listening .
THE REASONS WHY THE DPSU IS LOOSING MEMBERS ARE BECAUSE OF THE WEAKNESS OF LETANG.HE CALLED BIG MEETING THREATENING TO TAKE ACTION ,JUST FOR WEEKS LATER HE PUTS HIS HIS HEAD IN THE SAND.I AM NOT A SUPPORTER OF SAVARIN AS A MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT BUT WHEN IT COMES TO LEADERSHIP IN THE UNION,NO ONE COULD PUSH HIM AROUND.MEMBERS OF THE DPSU SHOULD ASK FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF LETANG BECAUSE OF HIS WEAK LEADERSHIP. ACCORDING TO A FRIEND IS ON PARRY HE HAS FORCE.
silly who say the union is losing members.sort membership is increasing. letang’s big mouth is paying brcause Government has changed its position .the have now decided to negotiate and still do the classsification .Well done my executive ,Good strategy .i am proud
this is the first time i have heard of a union taking its main weapon off the table. does he mean on hold.
Come on Mr.Letang!!!!
You know that what Mr.Parry Bellot said was true!!
Most government employees DO NOT WORK AS EFFECIENT AS THEY SHOULD!!!
You know it, government knows it and we Dominicans know it!! So I don’t even know what you want to strike for because productivity in the public sector remains the same!!…. LOW!!!
As for the rest of the public sector employees who really work their hearts of….. for our country…..all I can say is THANK YOU and that you all are the ones who really deserve the pay increase!!