Workers unite – UWP Labour Day message

The United Workers Party wishes to express its solidarity with all workers and their organizations as we reflect on the status of workers in Dominica on Labour Day 2012.

In most countries of the world, where the workers are conscious of their rights and their history, there are great celebrations on Labour Day by Trade Unions and other organizations involved in the workers liberation struggle. Unfortunately we have noticed over the years that there seem to be a disconnection between the workers and their union and also among the Trade Union themselves.

The clarion call for many years, appealing for unity in the workers movement has gone unheeded by the leaders of the Trade Union Movement.  Consequently, the gains which workers have achieved to establish their right and dignity through labour laws and collective agreements are gradually and systematically taken away by those who consciously lure the workers into a culture of dependence, rather then creating the enabling environment for gainful employment, productivity and personal development.

It is for this reason that the United Workers Party call on all Trade Unions in Dominica to unite and form a Trade Union Congress in Dominica to preserve the workers right and to give effective representation.

This in our view is absolutely necessary to ride the raging tide of globalization and the marginalization of the workers in this age of technological advancement.

Integration of the Caribbean and the islands of the OECS begin with the people of the region and their democratic organizations.  Therefore, it is imperative that we unite to bring positive change to our working environment and to our quality of life.  We either work together or perish separately.

The United Workers Party while in Government recognized the significant contributions which our pioneer of the Trade Union Movement, like Mr. E C Loblack has made to the development of Dominica, by naming the Roseau East Bridge in his honor.

In that regard we recommend other great Trade Union Leaders such as the late Anthony Fredrick Joseph and Veronica Nicholas, Louis Benoit and others should be honored and remembered on Labour Day.

The United Workers Party believes that the Workers of Dominica posses tremendous power to change the negative attitude which confronts our society, but if we fail to harness the power, we will become weak and insignificant.  Therefore let us march together to liberate ourselves from the scourges of crime, poverty and unemployment.

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20 Comments

  1. NOU PWEE UWP
    May 6, 2012

    I MUST CONFESS THAT NOU PWEE..BUT WE NEED NEW VISION AND NEW BLOOD,TOO MANY THEM SAY,THEY SAY,TOUT MOUN SAY.LETS MOVE ON..A NEW PARTY..

  2. Roseau I Come From
    May 6, 2012

    PM Skerrit criticizes Soufriere protest!!!

  3. Roseau I Come From
    May 5, 2012

    @Patat (nothing)(not a potato). You deliberately forgot the $20 plus million dollars spent for the election, free plane tickets to come just to vote and return next day. You forget, “Is not your damn business, where we get our money from?” We hear of controversial passport sales, diplomatic ones at that. What about what we do not know about? As we on that, Where did the money for the villas come from, nuh?

    Who is the President of the Teachers Associationm, NUH?. Teachers are making sacrifices after sacrifices, with little or no increase in salary for years. They were battered by austerity measures imposed. The standard of living of teachers have declined significantly. The salary they receive just cannot match up with the increases in prices of goods, food, drinks,utility bills, generally with the escalating costs of living.

    However, have you heard or seen any advocay or action by DAT, on behalf of teachers, to ease up their sad plight? Who in the kitchen feels the heat. Teachers are now roasting in the heat, while a few in power are quickly getting richer and richer and richer through dubious means. all of Dominica knows that. It is plain to see.

    The plight of teachers has gotten worse since the DLP came into Govt. Be frank. Apart from all the sacrifices and decline in our standard of living, we have to deal with students from all backgrounds. No increase in our little salaries, though cost of living has sky-rocketed.

    Interestingly, Some politicians have amassed massive wealth in short time and through controversial means. They are all richer than all the teachers in the service. Teachers are afraid of being victimized and are therefore silent on the issues that affect them directly or indirectly.

    Teachers are facing real problems. Economic problems. Teachers live almost from hand-to-mouth. The pay cheque at the end of the month, if not properly watched, is grossly insufficient to last the month. On top of that, teachers are now students lavabow.

    Who would speak on behalf of us teachers for a much needed salary increase? Partisan politics is causing some to be moo-moo as regards efficient representation on behalf of us teachers.

  4. questions & options
    May 5, 2012

    where my comment ADMIN????

  5. Real
    May 5, 2012

    Wen sum people want to cum say now opportunity was created in employment for young people..what about clear habour..now after high school or college u can always get a job.not like b4 wen u had to look to go abroad.

  6. Warning
    May 4, 2012

    Don’t hide your identity Patat…….reachers know who you are……you don’t care about teachers because you continue to use them for your own persnal gain……..remember Patat the longest road has a bend and the longest road has an end……Patat hide your identy all you want…..but always remember you cannot stay in DAT for the rest of your life….God will deal with u in his time.

  7. fair&balance
    May 4, 2012

    I am not Red,GREEN, or Blue. But I am Dominican, one that is fed up with people accusing others including past Government officials of corruption stealing,and all sorts of other crimes but in the end no one is brought before a court of Law or held responsible with proof from those very persons who find it fit to accuse others of wrong doing, mind you they said the same thing about that Former “PM” from marigot I remember the incoming Government said when they get into power a special cell painted in blue will be built to house Edison up to this day not a Dam thing happened. In Edison case he said at the time he is not going any where and his accusers cannot touch him with a ten foot “ROD”and he turn out to be right, so fellow Dominicans stop blowing hot air, and in tipical Dominican style accuse people of wrong doing with out proof or if there is proof take your matter to a court of law cause we are still a democratic country the last I checked it is still that way. My advise to those concern if you do not have proof to back your accusation{S}keep your trap shut and help build Dominica for Dominica is ours to build. SMFH.Five ,ten Twenty years from now the same thing is going to happen and not a rat is going to happen but the same different day. Hope I live long enough to say I told you so. Who the cap fit let them wear it and sound off.

  8. EMILE Zpatos
    May 4, 2012

    The uwp {the wee wee party}has plenty of talk :plenty of sound and fury signifying nothing!
    They will become extinct just like the DUPP {THE DO YOU PEE PEE }party

  9. EMILE Zpatos
    May 4, 2012

    HIP !HIP! HURAY!The UWP hAS achieved great credibility by naming a bridge after Mr E C Loblack .Maybe they will name a river after themselves as they cry a river.
    It was the DLP that passed special legislation to give Mr Loblack a special pension to honour him with an income .That was a first in History .

    a government to give

  10. EMILE Zpatos
    May 4, 2012

    What about PATRIC JOHN who started the Water Front Trade union.Arnold Active Cutis Agustus who was recruited by Patrick John.Cleve Butler who worked with Edward LeBlanc to make the Cevil Service a full fledge trade union.
    What about the DOMINICA LABOUR PARTY that worked to put workers on a higher level from the 1960’s when workers and trade union members were considered as “OLD DIRTY NIGGERS”{said in patois}
    Who is the wee wee party trying to fool withn its pretence and political games

    • May 5, 2012

      That was the labour party that I grew up with which is not what we have in power today it is sad that the people of DOMINICA are look down upon as stupid they cannot think or even go out and investigate for themselves if you meet anyone on the street and try to have a conversation all they see is read tell me how many of them for the pass week thought about men like Michael Douglas, Rosie Douglas, O. E .Lelanc and others who did all they could to bring Dominica and it’s people a better life.
      That was the labour party that was had .

  11. May 4, 2012

    agree with u patat 1ooo% all of a sudden uwp is the kid on the block we remember them very well

  12. Patat
    May 4, 2012

    One of the main factors for the UWP’s loss in the 2000 elections was the fact that the UWP Government at the time had a problem with teachers first forming their own Trade Union and there was a bitterness between two men from Marigot – one in government and the other in the Teachers Union

    There was that famous case that was heading to the Privy Council in the UK but Rosie Douglas Prime Minister was able to save the day.

    Old people does say that politicians like to believe that people have short memories.

    UWP cannot now pretend to love trade unions!!! SMH

    • seeing light
      May 4, 2012

      @Patat (nothing)(not a potato). You deliberately forgot the $20 plus million dollars spent for the election, free plane tickets to come just to vote and return next day. You forget, “Is not your damn business, where we get our money from?” We hear of controversial passport sales, diplomatic ones at that. What about what we do not know about? As we on that, Where did the money for the villas come from, nuh?

      Who is the President of the Teachers Associationm, NUH?. Teachers are making sacrifices after sacrifices, with little or no increase in salary for years. They were battered by austerity measures imposed. The standard of living of teachers have declined significantly. The salary they receive just cannot match up with the increases in prices of goods, food, drinks,utility bills, generally with the escalating costs of living.

      However, have you heard or seen any advocay or action by DAT, on behalf of teachers, to ease up their sad plight? Who in the kitchen feels the heat. Teachers are now roasting in the heat, while a few in power are quickly getting richer and richer and richer through dubious means. all of Dominica knows that. It is plain to see.

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        May 4, 2012

        Hector John political party leader of the uwp is now opposition leader.

        And you saying uwp stuck in mud??? All you mad man??

    • Teacher
      May 4, 2012

      The plight of teachers has gotten worse since the DLP came into Govt. Be frank. Apart from all the sacrifices and decline in our standard of living, we have to deal with students from all backgrounds. No increase in our little salaries, though cost of living has sky-rocketed.

      Interestingly, Some politicians have amassed massive wealth in short time and through controversial means. They are all richer than all the teachers in the service. Teachers are afraid of being victimized and are therefore silent on the issues that affect them directly or indirectly.

      Teachers are facing real problems. Economic problems. Teachers live almost from hand-to-mouth. The pay cheque at the end of the month, if not properly watched, is grossly insufficient to last the month. On top of that, teachers are now students lavabow.

      Who would speak on behalf of us teachers for a much needed salary increase? Partisan politics is causing some to be moo-moo as regards efficient representation on behalf of us teachers.

  13. Bond
    May 4, 2012

    Where do they live?.

    • Very Fair Play
      May 4, 2012

      Patat, great comment. History has its unique way of exposing men and women, especially those in the UWP who attempts to love Trade unions and workers rights.

      • EMILE Zpatos
        May 4, 2012

        Fair Play ,you are right when you say that UWP “ATTEMPTS TO LOVE WORKERS” .I think “pretend” would be a better word.Are they not the same people who refer to workers as stupid ,ignorant and uneducated because the DLP was voted in 18 TO 3 .yes. they love us like hot peppers love eyes{said in patois}.

  14. questions & options
    May 4, 2012

    why would i have to pay 2% of my salary for medical emergencies when i already pay insurance for that purpose? and besides the funds will have no transparency anyway, maybe to be treated like some sort of ReD Clinic .!

    The Govt should look into incorporating some sort of real cheap insurance scheme for the people that is only to be used for surgical procedures that cannot be undertaken here ,due to complexity or the lack of the said surgical equipment.

    Example $10 per person per month @ 22000 persons ($220,000) employed the rest of the funds should come from the crazy tax scheme called VAT which was estimated to rack in 30 million but takes 80 million annually.The excess 50 million instead of creating Jobs for the Boys and Girls , Red Clinic, party and colour favours, and much more should aid to pay the portion from the non working populus .

    It is taxation sin to TAX an already ailing economy.

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