Public Service Union gives government ultimatum

PSU general secretary Thomas Letang.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Public Service Union (PSU) Tuesday said it would “review its position” within a week if the Dominica government fails to resume negotiations over a new collective agreement for public workers.

PSU general secretary Thomas Letang said that it has been more than a month since the negotiations had been stopped and the union is yet to receive from the Roosevelt Skerrit government a date for its resumption.

“I would not say that the negotiations have stalled but the government has not called us, may be they are not ready, maybe they are tardy and slow in whatever they have to do,” Letang said, adding that the union was prepared to give the authorities “until the rest of the week to put their things in order.

“If by next week there is no information then we will have to review our position and see where we take it from there,” he said, noting that most of the non-salary issues have already been resolved during the negotiations.

The public servants are seeking a 19 per cent salary increase over a three-year period and have already rejected a government offer of two per cent.

Letang said that “there has been a new position with regards to the salaries” without elaborating.

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22 Comments

  1. Dominican
    April 28, 2010

    Multiplier effect. To stimulate any economy you increase the spending power of those who will spend it in the economy that you are trying to stimulate. For example giving back the civil servants the salary that they sacrificed will stimulate the economy and create wealth for Dominicans if you give incentives to spend and invest locally.
    what % pay increase did the ministers get? This does not

    How many ministers, Senators, advisors… Have been appointed in this “global recession”? What did they accomplish in the 100days?
    Absolutely Nothing!!

    Is gadakan and all the other negotiated tender benificiaries lowering their prices? No No in fact the negotiated tender prices are higher than those local who are more qualified, capable and deliver more and better projects. What happen to the displacing of the colas workers at public works so that another french citizen can get the millions. What are the qualifications of those who keep getting the PReference at the government projects under the term ” negotiated tender”
    Does the money that these foriegn benificiaries get from the negotiated tender projects stay in this economy? NO. Its profits go to outside banks where it is easy to pay the cut under the table for.
    This is the oldest trick politicians have been using on developing countries like Dominica. Down with the french constitution breaker. Time for another DLP leader or is there an alternative who is Dominican or has allegiance to the people/born nationals of Dominica?

  2. Anonymous
    April 27, 2010

    I slightly agree with you, things are bad now. But if things are bad, Why the Government increased and invented extra ministries, employing useless jobs. Their salaries are increased .

    Things are only bad when Public Workers need an increase. But why?????

  3. Stranger
    April 27, 2010

    Not to be the one to sound bad here but the entire world is in a Recession right now and they are cutting salaries in all major countries but we are asking for an increase.

    I’m not saying that it is not needed because the wages could be improved significantly but the timing is slightly off people. If you get the increase that means that money you put in your pockets could be going towards developing a country that is in much need of alot of things.

    Not to be a buzz kill be we could atleast wait till the outside world is out of a recession to begin asking for increases because some of us are just fortunate to have a job in times like these.

    • STAY TUNED
      April 28, 2010

      Hear nonesense. Hear rubbish.

      Were you not listening to the DLP’s 2009 campaign? Did you not hear them boast that because of King Skerrit, we have not been suffering from the effects from the world recession? Did you not hear when Reginald Austrie said that while projects are being stopped all over the world, King Skerrit starting project after project in Dominica? And it’s only now you want money to spent wisely towards the development of the country? When the red clinic was in full swing and millions of dollars went into the hands of people just like that, where were you? Where were you when the government went to parliament around September of last year to seek a further approval of more money to dish out into the hands of people just like that in the name of a “public support programme”?

      Did they not say that we are out of the “mess” they claim the uwp left the country that we have been practising “fiscal prudence?” and that more money is in the treasury because of all these “free gifts” from Venezuela and China? Seriously, are you aware of what is going on around you? Are you even in Dominica for that matter.

      Hold on…I get it…You are a STRANGER to the reality in this country.

      • NIKE
        April 28, 2010

        STAY TUNE, just love skerrit. Find another way to express that love. DNO not working. Text him or call him you have the numbers, better still visit him. Get together.

        • STAY TUNED
          April 28, 2010

          we speak from time to time so he knows how I feel…lol….don’t bother your head ok…nice.

  4. only
    April 27, 2010

    I think that some of you people are dreaming. 19% in an economy like this? Do you realize that the civil servants in the US are taking pay cuts to the tune of 10% or more and having furlough days.
    There is downsizing going on as well as job elimination.

    When the bankers devalue the currency, it won’t matter anymore anyway. Poor is poor. The very rich vs. the poor.
    That is why the UN is around as well as the IMF. The return of feudalism. The very rich vs. the rest of us.

    • Dominican
      April 28, 2010

      Down with your anti Dominican BS.
      DA Civil servants made the sacrifice long before US did.
      Go kiss the A$$ of your € Vampire operatives faking and. Sucking the blood and sweat of civil servants …

    • STAY TUNED
      April 28, 2010

      But why before we ask for things in Dominica, people making reference to america nuh?

      Why when Ministers are in the middle of controversy they don’t resign just like it is done in America?

      Why don’t the DPP do his job, and prosecute EVERYONE who breaks the law, government official of not, just like it is done in America?

      Why don’t our people here educate themselves and hold sensible political discussions, just like it is done america?

      Stop the hypocrisy ok.

      Based on the way the government has been reporting on our economy and finances, the 19% long overdue increase should be a piece of cake for them.

      So let’s stay tuned to see what happens….haha

    • gwatance
      April 28, 2010

      please………………. they have d money. They have money to pay Lambert 13000, per mth, nanthan 7000 per month, now loreen bannis that leave and go and get green card … and doing the job what Barbara Daily is suppose to be doing in washington … they still paying her, and alu saying public officers cannot get increase? joke alu giving; look they opening a multi million dollar school to house 50 children, boy those people smelling money, pay those people dat running the country’s affairs.

  5. Karkabeff
    April 27, 2010

    Pleaseeeeez! And what you will do if they don’t fart with you? The government know you don’t have the testicular fortitude to do anything other than run your mouth. Christmas will come and it will still be the same. The days of unions looking out the the workers are over. Government is in control my friend and thats is fact whether you want to believe it or not. What a joke!

  6. FOR LOVE OF POCKET
    April 27, 2010

    I guess the pretty picture they were painting of the countries finances were not truthful. If they were and with continued projected growth then is it that difficult to give your workers a reasonable increase. It was easy to take away the 5% years ago so why should it be difficult to give them what they are asking for.
    Some fellas handling confidential information that if they have to go on plat form and speak out some people dead!!!!Come on man. Cost of living going up. Private sector get increases black and white… Why they not forfitting the lump sum they does get after each 5 years and donate it to pulic officers.
    FOR LOVE OF POCKET not true!!!!

  7. April 27, 2010

    Negotiate, demonstrate, wine and dine, but do not choose the Two days of history in our cricket to send a message, cause we are coming 100 strong from the U. S.A also coming along with us are a number of Americans who are visiting Dominica for the first time. While i respect people`s right to demonstrate and i know some body will indicate that to us let me say is not what we do” But is how we do what we do.’ Therfore lets be civil with our actions. Thank You!

  8. Nathaniel Peltier
    April 27, 2010

    Would be interesting to see where the negotiations go. If one has not thought of where there are going to go next week. I really wonder what type of planning that is. Normally almost all the eventualities are looked at when getting into a negotiation.
    If these decisions have to be made next week that would mean that it will take some time for this to be resolved.

    All the best.

    • LawieBawie
      April 27, 2010

      Thats just a figure of speech garcon! I am sure that they have already figured out their next move by now.

  9. April 27, 2010

    19% is too small. You should ask for 30% if u want to cover inflation.

  10. Mal Parlay
    April 27, 2010

    I’m a union member and yes they do get replaced if they’re not doing their job in negotiating for better pay and work conditions for union members.On that note looks like he is doing what he was elected to do.

    • Piper
      April 27, 2010

      I guess you can say that for just about every other union in DA. There is a Rawlings fella how has been the head of a union for over 30 years. You mean there is no one else who can even come close to offering something better? Don’t tell me DA is so lacking in talent.

  11. Piper
    April 27, 2010

    Do guys like Letang ever get replaced? Ever noticed that the leadership of the unions are lifers in those jobs? They almost seem like those African presidents-for-life.

    • ppl like u
      April 27, 2010

      yes piper!
      why do you want to replace him. if a jar is not broken why fix it. Do your job mr.Letang.. do slack down, you hear piper already! work even harder for the public officers.. They working hard! need the increase.

      • Anonymous
        April 27, 2010

        Excellent observation Piper.

        People with the mentality like “ppl like you” that keep Dominica in such a stagnant state. In Africa you have presidents for life and yet their countries never go forward and is always poor. In the US. a president cannot serve no more than two terms in office no matter how good or talented he is.

        We constantly need new people, with new and different ideas and visions. We simply cannot just sit back and be comfortable with the status quo all the time.

        MR. Letang has been in that position for a long period of time and what ‘great’ things has he done?

        • look sin
          April 27, 2010

          i agree wha has he done. he agrees too much with the Government when it comes to them not giving public servants the pay they want. It will be interesting what level of action he will take next. Skerrit said he would pay didn’t he?

          But Anonymous what does Letang being a Union secretary have to do with keeping Dominica backward?

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