The unions in Dominica may not have been pleased that the Catholic Church embarked on a “Hike with the Clergy” event on May Day.
Dominica Public Service Union General Secretary Thomas Letang while not singling out specific events, has been lamenting that “politicians and others” apparently colluded to keep workers away from May Day activities, an occasion the movement uses to chronicle its achievements and look ahead.
However the main organizer of the hike, the Catholic Church, has labeled the event a success, and is likely to deny that its intentions were to keep workers away from Labour Day acitivities.
The Church used May Day celebrations to hike on Waitukubuli National Trail segment 13 from Penville to Capuchin.
Hundreds took part in the hike which saw Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit along with Bishop of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire and other members of the clergy displaying their fitness on the trail.
The event also included a family fun day on the beach.
Brief comments were made there by Prime Minister Skerrit, Bishop Malzaire and Portsmouth parish priest Fr. Herman Sharplis.
“It was good to see so many persons turn out, the young and middle age all having fun. It was a success and I am really thrilled at what happened,” Fr. Sharplis stated.
The hike was a “church fund raiser”.
Their trash is still on the beach at Bell Hall…..
I didn’t even know MAy Day was a “trade unions holiday”. In my 16 years of being alive I thought it was just another holiday. I’ve never heard trade unionist speak about the day
Since this is the first Hike with the Clergy,could Mr. Letang tell us what May Day activity was held last year or over the last 5 years? Were they well attended/successful? If you can honestly say that the church’s event took away from your regular activities and caused folks not to show up this year, then I’d settle for that. But from the sound of it, you have continuously failed in your attempts to stage activities for May Day, why don’t you just take a hike.
Mr. Letang, May day is a public holiday. A break for everyione, not just trade unions. If you are disappointed with the turnout for your movement, you should question yourself first. If you are insinuating that more people would have attended your rally if the catholic sponsored walk was not held, all I can say is that perhaps people preferred that event, trade unionists included.
Go in peace Thomas. May you be wise one day! DNO is not ‘unions’, is Thomas Letang. The man has publicly stated to the effect that ‘roro’ keeps people interested.
What i c ing deer non d PM doh even have proper walking clothes,garson prepresent better than dat.
I know some of you will have a problem with my comment but it is true.I would do better than that.
I think we are missing the point. The hike was held in segment 13 i.e Penville to Capuchin. Hon. Skerrit is Parl Rep for Penville so he was invited. Hon Austrie was unable to hike for whatever reason. Hon. Douglas is Min for Tourism so he was invited. All these men are also Roman Catholics. Now CATHOLICS from every parish in Dominica enjoyed the walk. I saw Labourites, Workers, die hard freedomites and independents. Even some non catholics were part of the hike. LET US TRY TO LEAVE POLITICS OUT OF THIS EVENT.
SOME OF YOU PEOPLE ARE SUCH GREAT IDIOTS, THAT IT IS NOT EVEN FUNNNNY. IF ONE CHOOSES TO GO ON A HIKE OR ATTEND A WORKERS’ GATHERING, THAT IS HIS BUSINESS.
Great day for us from the various Parishes who turned out with walk with our Priest! Sincerly I expected more Catholics than that Special thanks to the few Non catholics and Non church Goers who joined us it was a true blessing Imagine how it rained the day before and on Monday the rained just dis appeared. Indeed the event was highly favored. The youngest Person on the trip must have about 2years old. Some took 2 hours or less; some took 3 and a half hours and more.
As a Unionist myself. I kept wondering what was going on. Why non of the Unions holding any activity to mark the occasion. Sad Mr. Thomas your comment was noted only after the event. Seem we have become reactive rather than proactive.
I noted from the excepts of Mr. Jemout of the National Workers Union in his retirement announcement indicating that he was leaving the Union at a time……… I was stuned for a while. When you add those two sentiments together they kind of give us the state of the Union today.
Union members or supporters we need to rally behind our Unions Get our leader to act thats what we are aying our dues for.
Truly the State accepts the 1st Monday of May as a workers holiday. We need to demand from our unions
The walk would not have affected any activity planned by the Union. There are 24 hours in the day.
Unity of our leader be it religious , Political sectoral, or social that what the Country needs
We cant bring back history but we can tell the stories I use to enjoy those Labour Day Celebration of the 70-80 and for some time the 90s. But in the absense of something you have hang on to another and where better could we have done it but at the head Peville to Capuchin then bell hall to relax
Leaders will seat review the past look at what happened and draw a national plan which will take on all of us.
“As a Unionist myself. I kept wondering what was going on. Why non of the Unions holding any activity to mark the occasion. Sad Mr. Thomas your comment was noted only after the event. Seem we have become reactive rather than proactive.”
If you were truly a unionist then you would have known about the planned activities by the various unions to recognize May Day.
It’s not just about another holiday and as a catholic, and union member I was disappointed when i heard the announcement in church that they were having a hike on May Day because poto catholics will follow the priests anywhere – the union activities stood no chance…
But who wanted to hear Letang talk nuh!! I chose to go and have peace with nature..I saw parrots and other birds I was at peace with nature for a change…
Yes but when you want the salary increase you’ll be chasing down Letang everywhere he goes…
chase him down? really? there will be no need for that, seeing that his reaction time is so slow.
Events like this can occur if they feature all political parties or all parties are accounted for, at least. But the church should never align itself with one party. We do NOT need religion to get anymore into politics in Dominica than it already is (already is in the sense that it has infected the very air most d/cans breathe, such that they cannot imagine life without it). I may have criticism of religion, but that is more private. My main concern is that state and church be separate, and that is not enough of the case here (not here as in the hike, necessarily, but in general).
let them churches enjoy their freedom and do what they want now because when the chinese take over relegion will be in the past, no more free worship
The hike was an open event. If a member of the UWP wanted to attend he could. Also remember Roosevelt Skerrit is not just the leader of the DLP but the PM. I don’t see why the Church can’t invite the PM of the country to an event.
Go for it Bishop follow your god while your flock is home reading the bible and rolling their rosary .
Who organised or coordinated the hike? The hike was a fund-raiser? How much funds so could really be raised? I could understand a well organised, well-planned big community Fair, where people in the community display and get an opportunity to sell locally made products, earn some money and the church as well raising funds with the help of the community.
Or, since workers come from all denominations, has there been any collaboration, working together, churches and Unions, for all Dominicans to be focussed for Workers’ Day, mobilising congregations, workers from all sectors to celebrate and be educated at the same time about the importance of workers May Day, the need for workers to get more together to struggle and protect their rights, need to improve and increase solidarity among workers of all religious faith.
But No. Awa. The plans to stage the hike with the clergy were not geared towards more workers togetherness or solidarity with workers on May Day ‘Workers Day.’ Far from that.
Why should workers be supported by some institutions or sectors of society, to mobilise,organise, be educated further and celebrate together? They would become stronger in their Unions and recognize their power to stand up and fight for their rights as workers.
Which Govt. or supporters of any Govt. truely want workers to be more educated, militant. They feel it would not be in the interest of the authorities. All over the World, workers have to struggle consistently hard to obtain their rights, benefits and due respect. Workers struggle hard for increase of pay, better working conditions and so on. Those things never come on a platter.
Well, that’s how the clergy decided to celebrate May Day, Workers Day, the day set aside for just that. So be it. However, Dominicans are making their eyes boil their peas. Again, I ask, who was the coordinator of the hike? It was just coincidence that the hike took place and the PM, Bishop and other clergy were walking side by side on occasions?
Of course, Christians need to assemble, walk, pray, work together, but they must also muster the strength to flock together in solidarity with each other, to denounce and fight corrupt practices. Actions speak louder than words.
Many Dominicans are wondering why is the silence of the church hierarchy so loud on those issues of corruption plaguing the country? Why are the followers of the different Faiths so Moo-Moo on those issues of national importance that are crippling the country? Your guess is as good as mine.
here in Anguilla there are few trade unions,so what happens every year is something call FUN DAY,where different groups and organizations come together to compete in games for a trophy. all government and private sector people take part even the hotels. it’really good.This year winner was CAP JULCA hotel .people do did some fun in their life.I reall enjoy the TUG A WAR.[lol]
STUPES. DO AXA HAVE A TRADE UNION. AND SO MUCH **** NONE AXA FACING AT THE WORK PLACE. WHAT THEY DOING FOR US. WE HAVE TO PAY LAYWER, EVEN WRITE TO THE GOVERNOR.
OH MY GOD, PEOPLE WE MUST EDUCATE OURSELVES BEFORE WE OPEN OUR MOUTHS AND TALK. IT WAS THE PUBLIC SERVICE UNION UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THOMAS LETANG WHO GOT THIS PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO BE CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF MAY INSTEAD IF OF ON ANY DAY THAT THE FIRST OF MAY FELL. AND AFTER ALL IT IS A HOLIDAY FOR WORKERS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF THE CHURCH HAD PLANNED WITH THE UNION. AFTER ALL WE ARE JUST ONE DOMINICA. PEACE
I SMELL POLITICS…
Why are you surprise Mr. Letang (by the way, I think your union leadership skills is antiquated)? The church and the state have always made good bed fellows. Why are people pretending to be so surprised? The catholic church has been one of the most influential political organization throughout history. Countries, heads-of-states, and monarchs rose and fell at the whim of the catholic church. Although its power has somewhat dissipated over the years, it still operates in shadows.
A family day is exactly what I was thinking for our “May Day” celebration. The reason being that those who had to die for us to enjoy the 40 hours of work, have died already, and we have come a long way. Employers and Unions through the Collective Labour Agreements are working well together in the interest of workers. We do not have to be revoluntary and militant any more.
We are not going to give up “May Day” as a holiday. It is the workers right to that special day, therefore we can now sit back and enjoy it as a family day.
I think the hike is in order.
Mr. Letang, you should have just kept your mouth shut. You raised a hornet’s nest with your political biasness. On May Day A Dominican Holiday, not a Letang holiday, therefore you don’t get to dictate how people spend their time. It’s their time NOT YOURS. Now I would advice you to go on that hike Sunday coming, it will do you good to burn off some steam this way, its for your own benefit(healthywise).
Common Dominican be real and stop politicizing everything. I think we need to start giving constructive criticism and get rid of this political hate and anti- gov parasite that is infesting our minds and society. Ok talk politics 6 days but please find a day to give it a rest
Mr.Letang before church and politics there was labour day and its always a holiday for some to relax go on beach tours and whatever you choose. Its always peoples choice to do what they please. Every May day is the same nancy story from you. If you want participation and a successful May Day start organizing for next year. Have a cricket match against Ministry, or teachers against teachers, customer officers against police and so on. The church organized and it came through, and the few public officers i saw on the hike could not stop whatever activities you had. The PM is a dominican and choose to walk with the clergy nothing wrong with that, may you should organize a hike on one of our trail, and by the way it was a nice walk, my legs and feet hurts, but for sure i sweat like rain. Do enjoy what we have and organize trips that the union people will enjoy, instead of coming and talk, talk, talk about what church do and did not do. relax and plan for next May day.
Who ever you are, I could not agree more. I cannot recall any May day activity organized by the Union. If there has been, then it was low key or minimal participation.
Please inform yourself, Observer, of the origin and intent of Labour Day.
am wondering,what was the activity planned by the unions for may day?
thank you.this is what we need. positive contributions and suggestions. not letang reacting rather than leading.
When I was young in the Y C W of Mahaut we went to beach picnics with Fr. Van and we had Christmas broth with Fr Van and Fr Geelord We were quite happy to learn that they could enjoy our companny on a personal level.
Maybe we can learn from the P M and the Bishop that we can get together on a function that is neither church or political and just enjoy the Nature Island that we are blessed with
Quite a part from the Union day festivities, the Church – the Catholic Church has definitely lost its way. To think that the church would allow itself to be so closely alligned with one political party is frigthening. For crazy T to go on national radio and imply that the Bishop is one of “their boys” and for no statement to be made by the Bishop and the church to disassociate themselves from that statement clearly indicates the state of the Catholic Church in Dominica.
Bishop Malzare has really done nothing to help advance the position of the church during his tenure thus far.
Go ahead Mr. Administrator delete my message like you normally do.
as a catholic i agree 156.75%
as a catholic i pray with my child at Home…..i soooooo fraid what i see going on there now…..well what we expect, new roof for church, jumbie dancing.
Evolved! Something is definetly wrong with you. Think again – on that Hike had Freedom, Labour, Workers and even Papi supporters, Catholic and other religions. It the Health Walk – We all enjoyed our walk to the segment. Its ashame you could not put aside politics for a day and join hands in unity.
You need to evolve and evolve out of hatred and politics. We are all Dominicans even if we support different parties or denominations. When will you evolve out of hatred towards love?
I use to think that I was radical and could criticise the Church however I wanted :that was a big MISTAKE .LEAVE GOD’S PRIESTS ALONE ! If they do wrong God will deal with them.They do not work for you .This is not your place to attack God’s priest or Church.
Just a word to the wise ,Mr.Evolved.You can verbally attack the P M all year round ,but lEAVE GOD’S PRIESTS OR BISHOPS ALONE ,please
i am catholic and i agree with you. the church could have used another day for that hike – after all it is a WORKERS HOLIDAY!! what happen to easter monday, or pentecost monday
Get a grip!! All of a sudden people talking about events for workers on Labour Day when most of you … if given the chance … hop on a plane and come to NY to do nothing but jump up and party for labour day! It’s the same concept, right? Two thumbs up to the Church for organizing a successful event! I take the hike over sewo any day, including Labour Day.
did the church INVITE ppl on a WALK or to WORK, going on the hike took nothing from WORKERS,if we are honest,i would really like to know how much ppl knew honestly what the plans of the union for the day was. Is it because the PM was on the hike? One thing for sure, it brought DOMINICANS TOGETHER,and any thing to bring UNITY, be it for a second, TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
i wish i could have made that hike if i was home i would have been there am happy happy happy and for what ever reason it was held it was good i would have love the meet the PM doh sorry to say but i dont no him
WHAT BOY !You mean the Head of Church and the Head of Government together hiking like nature lovers .That was a historical moment .This is an other first for Dominica.The youngest P.M. in the whole world has won an other first FOR US.
Mr P M ,you should not worry about the envy and the juvenile jealousies of the uwp enforcers and hitmen .They hate you because you are young good looking and smart.A real SUPERSTAR
LOL when in a secular society the church and state collude, it is VERYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY disturbing, Just remember JIM JONES…..hahahahahahah….keep on keeping on my beautiful people…..LOL
Letang, Unions are so 1970’s..Chill out with your political ramblings and stick to just represent workers labour rihts/laws.
but letang pas feb papa union my foot….. let’s go PM Skerrit show him how it’s done my partner…
UNION LEADERS IS MORE CONCERN OF THIER MONEY NOT
THE WORKERS. PLAN THINGS PROPERLY AND YOUR ORGANI
ZATION WILL BE OK.
Mr. Letang i think u should take a hike!
The bishop must pray for Letang you know…hmmm.
No objection. No speculation. No coincidence. In our face.
Jesus Christ, with all his patience, decided it was too much gambling going on. He took a piece of rope and drove the gamblers away from the gambling house. Biblical revelations. Today in Dominica, which boasts of 99.9 % Christians, not a word is even murmured,no comments against slot Casino gambling introduced and operational at Krazy Kokonuts a few weeks ago.
Who first came out defending Slot Casino gambling? Who tried to fool us into believing that Slot Casino Gambling is just a game? Why? Who cut ribbon?
In these times of increased crimes, violence, immoral behaviour, will Slot Casino Gambling reduce those negative attitudes? But congregations hear absolutely nothing condemning that gambling issue. What kind of meaningful employment would gambling bring to our unemployed youth? or will our youth become addicted to Gambling from then on?
What do religious teachings tell us about gambling? Why would our priests, pastors, Bishops, laity, congregations, be reluctant to speak out against Slot Casino Gambling in a country whose Constitution is based on Christian principles?
Could we, should we trust the Shepards to take their flocks on the right morally and ethically sound paths? Think of it.
Were their confessions on the way? Walking the trail must have provided the real ambience for reflections on nature’s honesty, morality and principled motives.
“So it is ” You better read the New Testiment again.I was money changers and traders that was thrown out of the Temple.
Remember Jesus ate and drank with everyone ever sinners and publicans
Has it ever occurred to you–I know this may come as a surprise–to think for yourself, as opposed to simply trying to force life to fit into “what the bible says?” I unfortunately get the sense it hasn’t occurred to you or, for that matter, to 90-something-percent of Dominicans, who know nothing of the bible or other belief systems, really, but worship the one book without a thought.
so is now alone we know that the church is just another political tool then??? just another avenue for brainwashing…… be thankful??? yeah right!! I pity the fool that can’t read between the lines and think for himself. I swear its religion, NOT GOD, that qwayvaying us…. we have become too PIOUS to stand up for ourselves much less anything else.
what better way top subdue the FIGHTING SPIRIT of union members, than a NICE LONG hike with the clergy……………LOL I swear the bishop among others dont realise that the curtains are wide open, and people like me are looking in.
It is so sad to hear such comments from someone who is in high authority. I was on the hike and for Mr. Letang’s information, the majority of the persons who hiked the trail were teenagers, between the ages of 15 – 18 years old. They would not have attended Union rallies. Shame that Mr. Letang even suggested that Politicians and others colluded to to keep workers away from May Day activities. Let us not put POLITICS in everything that is done. Maybe it would be nice one day for Mr. Letang to also organize a hike with his fellow unions.
What! No photos of Bishop Malzaire and Father Sharplis? Only one photo of PM Skerrit. Maybe the organizers forget to take their cameras. Or, maybe they forgot to invite the media. It is a shame we have only one photo. The report said there were “hundreds”. Where are the photos to show all those hundreds. Common DNO, didn’t you send your photogs?
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHATS WRONG WITH GENERAL SEC OF THE P.S.U MR THOMAS LETANG.
THANK FOR POSTING MY COMMENTS
The union leaders should take the walk too instead of sitting on their baby donkeys waiting for workers money
God bless Dominica. DPSU Gen. Sec. we need a unified Union Congress, when this is done and an organised and well excuted plan is put in place to organise May Day Celebrations, then we can support you all.
As a matter of fact you have to organise an event that will be supported by all an sundry
The Church activitiy was well planned and marketed. U need to market your event for the workers. Do not blame the Church for your failure of your event. Organise! organise!
I did the walk on May Day, it was challenging but a great experience.
But I’d rather see Dominicans go on a hike on May day than drinking rum and having accidents from beach baccanal. Mr Letang 1/2 of the union people wouldn’t attend union activities anyways so let them burn fat. I honestly can’t see anything wrong with it, people have choices and they chose to hike, the majority of whom would stuff their faces and do nothing on that day. To me it was a win win situation. Let it go!
Oh please Letang. Why didnt you all organize enough events for workers for May Day. If you have nothing to contribute i suggest you keep quiet.
why Thomas Letang always want to put politics in everything? I have been to union May Day activities and trust me, these things are poorly attended. People do not really see the real story behind “May Day”; all they see is a “holiday” or another “beach day”. So the catholic church doing its hike on that day (and whichever politicians taking part in it), is not to be blamed for lack of turn out at union May Day activities. I am so turned off by Mr. Letang’s constant political bias, no wonder I left the union! If I get a problem at work, i will get a lawyer; i don’t need union! all u can call me what all u want… is dat I say!!!
what they say they say.
Mr. Letang needs to get a grip! The people who went on the hike would not have gone to any Labour Day events anyway! Each activity has its people! Understand that!
So what? The Unions have nothing interesting. PSU, PS “Me”, PS “Them” are all the same. Everytime is the same old boring talk with no substance!!! When they decide to work as one we will participate in the activities. In the meantime, we rolling with church and state. That’s where my daily bread come from. Not Unions!!!!
Come on Mr. Letang. I have attended the May Day activities organised by the Unions and the attendance is very dismal even with nothing else happening. So, don’t blame our successful ‘Hike with your clergy’.