They have met with the government negotiating team but they “have neither accepted nor rejected” the latest offer from the government.
That’s the word from General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Thomas Letang and President of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) Jefferson Drigo.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s government had been adamant that the treasury could not offer more than a zero, zero and zero percent, they then moved to one, zero and zero and in a dramatic turn of events Skerrit announced that with help from “friendly governments” he was now able to offer a 3, 1 and 1 percent increase.
“The notice for the meeting was very, very short as you are aware and negotiating is not something that you can just accept so we have to discuss it with the rest of our negotiating team, then at executive level and then the general membership. So we made it clear that we were not accepting or rejecting and we needed time to discuss it with our executive and general membership,” Letang said.
He continued, “The other interesting thing that was presented to us is that all non salary matters which they had initially proposed or agreed to are being withdrawn and they are also no longer interested in implemented the job evaluation exercise which would have been implemented some time January 2015”. According to Letang, the reasons given by government are that they need to save on that money for the salary increases.
Letang also pointed out that the offer of the government was not in writing and they have requested that it be put in writing.
“We have also asked the government to put their latest offer to us in writing and they have promised to so do by December 6, 2014. We will then take a closer look at what they are offering and proposing and then respond to them in writing. This also means that our response will not be forthcoming before the general elections,” he stated.
PWA President Drigo also stated that they have “neither accepted nor rejected” government’s latest offer. “We have neither accepted nor rejected their offer and we have asked them to put it in black and white. We have also told them that we needed time to discuss it with our executive and then with our membership,” Drigo stated.
He continued,” they have also suspended the Human Resource audit that was to have been implemented from January 1, 2015…we are expecting them to write to us by December 6, 2015 and then we will respond to them in the shortest possible time.”
Some how I believe that Mr. Skerrit’s joke is on him.
Tell Skerrit go to hell! It’s toooo late sir! All of a sudden you want to give them raise after you said NO! They will be well stupid to put u back in office this time around! CHANGE IS A MUST DEFINITELY NOT AN OPTION! Dat you hear we!
Who is going to pay the $250 million US$dollar debt that you took to pay Chinese architects to pay for drawing a plan for the hospital which you say will be built by the Chinese? Show us all the MOU’s that you signed on you behalf, non?
You had told Dominicans that the hospital was part of the four pillar plan that was agreed on between you and the Chinese. So why do you have to go and take such a big loan for ,as you claim, construction of a new hospital? Ou ka mantee. That’s why we don’t believe anything you say.
The media themselves not asking Skerrit any questions. People, work in the interest of Dominica.
If things are working well in Dominica we will all benefit. Bear that in mind.
Four more reasons why Skerrit and his gang should be voted out
– that president who now occupies the state malice – a man who, as head of the civil service in 1979, helped to bring down the real Labour party government with Honourable Patrick Roland John as Prime Minister, the first Prime Minister of Dominica. He demanded a 100% increase for civil servants and got it.
In recent times, while he was minister in the Skerrit Labour party government, he refused to get the dictator, Skerrit, to give civil servants an increase in salary. In the recent negotiations with government, Skerrit offered 0% 0% 0%. Two days before elections, he coming with offer of 3% 1% 1% after he was forced by Lennox Linton, who promised 1.5% 1.5% 3% , one percent more than what desperate Skerrit is offering. We all know that Skerrit is a STRANGER TO THE TRUTH.
– the same speaker of the House of Assembly. Unfair and biased in Parliament – allows Skerrit and others on the Skerrit Labour side to get away with slander, even allowing Skerrit to mepweesay a good doctor
who had provided Parliament with flowers at he request. How low can one get?
– the sorry excuse for a Commissioner of Police – cannot and will not pursue justice for G.O.N. Emmanuel
after four years. Justice for all other Dominicans who are still waiting.
We need justice – FOR ALL in Dominica.
–paying Charlie Jong so much money a month to spy on citizens. That money could contribute towards increasing the salary of civil servants.
Moin fachay.
Now they have nothing to complain about! The people that try to increase their popularity through the suffering and plight of others don’t have face… neither refuse nor accept what a papishow.
Haterz boiling all now! They barzoudi!! Skeritt throw a rocket in their guerrilla camp!
Pre-School teachers, Pre School Teachers , WE bawling, bawling, papamet, who is there to save us, who is there to help us, The stipend is like Charity, our care of children and our centres are one of the best in most of the other islands, yet still no incentives. Ma quay sa. We need the Government to recognize us as professionals who deserve better,next one sitting in make Early Childhood a priorty, no too sho to flam.
Hypothetically speaking the government should consider privatising all organisations in Dominica.. Then you would blame someone if u could not find a job
I have never heard of any friendly govt. giving aid to another govt. to pay its workers. Could he explain to us who are those friendly govts?
On another note, with all these economic crisis all over the globe, people are loosing their jobs , govts, are downsizing staffs or doing wage cuts, some people even commits suicide , cant meet their mortgage as the banks are closing up on the home owners, repossessing their homes while we in Dominica are asking for increase in wages. Some folks in the diaspora are wondering whats going on in Dominica as it seams as “business as usual”. I know ever body needs an increase in salary but they should weigh out the economy crisis globally.
So after 14 years in Government and 0%, 0%, 0% for public servants, Mr Skerrit finds now is the time to give them a salary raise of 3%, 1%, 1%? Well, Well, Well!!!! If public servants accepts this, then they are more than foolish. It’s election time people…..REMEMBER THAT!!!!
BTW… Correct me if I am wrong but isn’t Parliament dissolved? Is there still a Government?
50% for nurses. they have too many to much to do.
works in poor condition
low pay income
cant afford morgages
cant afford land houses and car
works 12 hour night shift for 20 dollars
has to work months of night to build up the 20dollars just to have extra money added to their salary
they need more
And to add to that
-Has grown very impatient
-has grown a hard heart
-insentive to patients’ feelings and relatives concerns.
in general – no passion for the job whatsoever
But the nurses must also learn to treat patients better. They also leave too much for the ward aids to do. Nurses bring back bed side care.
Even the best basketball player (Kobe) is on a losing team. Lakers have 5 wins and 14 losses. HMMmmmmm.. maybe 2 independent candidates will win???
I though they said the UWP manifesto was plagiarized…But it have Skerrit depalaying. All of a sudden you can promise pay 5% after spitting in our (civil servant) face. Take ur 5% and….@#$%!!! Change is coming..It is a Must!
One of those friendly government cannot be Venezuela, they broke now, look they trying to sell petro carib to wall Street.
DNO where is the breaking news about UWP continuing the Red Clinic?
last election skerrit offer 100 goodies in 100 days, its been 5 years and he haven’t completed half of one of those goodies.
I hope the servants remember that.
I think dats a good idea… 5% is just right anyting higher will have crippling effect on the economy. my question where is the moneys for that 5% is going to come from or what are the sacrifices we the people has to face in reaction to that 5% rise???? {hope your not thinking of adding and next 5% to VAT to give back that 5% to civil servants as u promised.}
It sounds like a good offer, but he got to come with more details on how his going get this increase done and the incomes of it, not just the good but that bad one too.
So Thomas Latang, get your head right, and let the PM walk u step by step with this offer, and you shud know anything higher has to be pay on our pockets(citizens of Dominica). Don’t look at this offer as a politic offer but a door to big moves for the PSU members.
Q, who are the friendly government Mr Skerrit
A, none of your dam business
Mr. Skerrit, I am a blind laborite and a very perfect idiot but you left me baffled with your announcement and left me scratching my head for answers. Here are the questions I am left with:
1. Where were these two friendly governments all along?
2. Were they just formed?
3.Why are the friendly governments anonymous?
4. Is there something they trying to hide?
5. Are they giving the monies to : ( a). Dominica? (b) the DLP? (c) Skerrit?
6. Is it going to be a donation or a loan?
7. If loan, what is the interest rate?
8. If donation, what do they get in return?
9. If a loan, who is expected to pay back? I mean is it Dominica, The DLP or Skerrit?
10. If the money is loaned or donated to “Dominica”, what sense it makes to ask Mr. Linton where his proposed increase in salaries would come from?
11. Would this money ONLY be available to Skerrit and the DLP?
12.But Skerrit said with assistance from “friendly governments”. Whose friends are these friendly government? Are they your friends or friends of Dominica?
13. By the way, you forgot to tell us exactly how much we will be getting from those friendly governments and perfect idiots like myself need a dollar amount
14. Can you also tell us how much friendly government #1 has pledged and how much friendly government # 2 pledged?
15. Finally sir, since it is a pledge, what if those friendly governments do not honor their pledge? Are we going to go back to square one?
If an idiot like myself can have these concerns, would you not expect intellectuals to expose this BIG BAG OF LIES? Think again Mr. PM!
this idiot wants to know:
1. why do you need to withdraw prior non-monetary offers to save money for the salary increases. You said this will be funded by friendly governments, so the money you already allocated for the job evaluation exercise should not have been touched.
2. DNO Admin: since this has been a major issue over the year, has there been a press release or press conference to provide details to the media. Has the media requested details such as my idiot friend above queried?
You are not an idiot at all and you are not blind.
Maybe Skerrit is the idiot, or maybe Skerrit thinks the civil servants and the police are idiots.
You maybe the innocent child pointing out that the emperor is naked but sir, you are not the idiot in this story
What does any of your questions have to do with the price of a pound of sugar?
If its America the money comes from you’ll say its diaspora that involved, if its china you’ll say is Dominica they want to buy, if its Venezuela you’ll say Chavez was this and that… if its Germany you’ll say they started world war 2 if its France you’ll say Martinique an Guadeloupe taking over DA. Your parwein that give him money to pay allu money allu asking for. yes your parwein!
what all that controversy na. accept, dont accept. i brokes unnuh. stupes. give me my five percent. half a loaf is plenty bread.
i back that 100%
You are being used as a political pawn. the grass is always greener on the other side.
Labourites alone that saying take it Cruz they normally settle for less and for anything at times…..wicked.
Too little too late Skerro
Lennox offer much better, you even getting back your 5% you sacrifice for the country. Tommy boy… doh sign that yet, lets wait and see, if UWP get in then you can now negotiate properly.
UWP is making an offer before properly assessing the financial state of the country. Don’t you find that irresponsible?
idiot
How can the two unions negogiate with a government that is not in power? Parliament is dissolved. The union reps are so stupid.skerrit is no longer PM.Parliament is dissolved.Is that the kind of people that negogiate for the members? You union members need a better rep.You cannot negogiate with something that doesnt exist.
There is no government how can they be negotiating. I don’t get it.
Listen to yourself: “There is no government.” You find you make sense? People around the world must be laughing at the depth of our ignorance. Just for your knowledge, the House is dissolved when polling day is called. The government continues to function, for good reason; unless you and those you lift up politically wish for anarchy to take over. Wouldn’t you love it?? Get educated.
I agree their is no Government in the Commonwealth of Dominica since election and the house was dissolved, their will be back in business as of December 9,2014 . I also hope that we have a brand new Administration forming the new Government .
And make sure all you have a good lawyer on the teams to shift through those letters to find any loophole they might sneak in there they might try to use to weasel out of the agreement.
I’m waiting patiently too for those offers in writing. Time for YOU Skerritt to put up or shut up.
Now is not the time to listen to Skerro’s empty promises. And we all know what a promise is!
UWP=6 PERCENT
LABAR=5 PERCENT
I will stick with de 6 percent CHANGE IS A MUSTTTTTTTT.
UWP can even offer you 100%. And when they lose they will say, but we didn’t win and your goose will have been cooked and that will have been too late.
UWP has nothing to lose. They can promise you the sun will rise at midnight to get your vote, but we all
know that is impossible.
UWP is irresponsible, and have no authority to offer you anything. All they have are promises. But Labour can deliver. So the future of the union membership are in their own hands. Get an executive who has your best interest at heart.
aFTER ALL the efforts and money, the government is suspending the implementation of the HR Audit ? Simply to win votes. And, yes trade unions, insist that the government put their offer in writing. Do not be influenced buy Skerrit’s shameful politricks.
Take it Letang take it! What else you want again??
Half a loaf is plenty bread!
Take what? all you really believe? election is really next week
I rather take Lennox bread. it is bigger and better thought out. Nothing to lose voting for Team Dominica, everything to gain.
Absolutely weak leader, very weak negotiator.
Thomas Letang , you getting 3, 1, 1 and you not accepting that on our behalf man, you see that kind of foolish union we have. Stupes!!!!!!!!!!
A man not in government he go on a plat form and say something Thomas L have to jut act like a fool and say yes, yes yes? it have to be on paper, you your self not easy, you forget next week is election?
You are right, any liar can say anything. I want my largan chess in my hand before I give my vote carcon. Ive’ heard too many lies from that feller.
what is 3,1,1?
It may not be the best offer, but at least it is a step in the right direction. Union reps and members, please give the offer some serious considerations.
Good luck to all in your deliberations.
Skerrit is a one-man cricket team then? All of a sudden mister finds money from friends to copy Linton’s manifesto, except that Linton’s offer is even better. Well, it is only a promise and nothing in the hand. I would tell the unions to hold back support till after the election. What can they lose? Both Skerrit make a promise and Linton make a promise but Linton offer still better and more professional.
A political party which has been unwilling to negotiate with the unions being adamant that the treasury could only afford 1% augmentation in salaries today has met the offer being proposed by the opposition party only days before the general elections and these people are entertaining this! If they’re willing to meet the 5% then they’re willing to go over this. I think you are to press for more and at the sametime throw your support with the united workers party. Negotiating is a mans game no balls, then stop take people livelihoods for joke!
public officers do not accept 5 % increases remember that mr skerite is acting because general election is near and he is doing that to catch vote!!!!!!!!!!!!! dont let skerite full all you! the man say is 0 0 0% then he come with 1.0.0 then he coming with 3.1.1 that is nonscence and that not a reasonable increase. its the same skerite that said that the gov cant afford a salary increase, its a gimmick!!!! to fool u all. dnt settle for 5% put your foot down and demand a 10 %increase . mr drigo do not accept that. this gov have to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u all deserve a better salary!!!! after 15 years that is what the gov want to issue u all! its a damn shame, he has millions spending in a camapagne!!!!!!!!!!
well you know if all you waste too much time and the lection comes, and if skerro is successful at the polls, it doesn’t matter what all you accept or reject because skerro will have the handle and you guys will be holding the blade, he will do all you just like the Wesley people, shove what ever he wants down you guys throat, because he feels that the nation cannot survive without him, he feels that Dominica cannot be a country without him, what a man so full of himself, but he has a surprise coming, don’t let this latest offer fool you guys, don’t let this lies about help from friendly government fool you, stay the course, remove this man from his dictatorship captaincy, lets strive to be a country with good governance, people of Dominica, can we really afford another 5 years with this gang, really really really look and think about it.
Wake up people!
How can Mr Skerrit offer an increase when the Government has been dissolved? DNO, Skerrit is no longer the PM, so please edit/adjust your byline. How does this seriously work within the political realm?
Letang, stop blindly leading your followers. What about the failed negotiation talks that were meant to happen on Emancipation Day, a public holiday?
You also need to ask who are the ‘friendly governments’. This is so bogus!
#electiongimmick
parliament has been dissolved but the prime ministers office continues to function and mr skerrit is the pm till a new one is sworn in.
Who are these two friendly governments! They will adopt us forever? People dont be foooollled.
Beat Skerrit at his own game. Dont accept that
But I thought the house was dissolved? How can there be any salary negotiations when there is no government in office. Boy Boy boy
the govts negotiating team is made up of public officers, FS, CPO etc. the business of the state must continue.
December 6th 2014 is Saturday and I would like to know who will be at work to type this letter, and why not today December 5th. Mr. Letang can you remember the August Monday meeting the PM was suppose to have with you on behalf of Public Works Corporation? Well, as we all know it never took place and neither any calls was made to you to alert you of it not Further, calls prior to August Monday to reschedule was not met with a favorable response. Therefore, you and Mr. Drigo beware of this date and the short notice change of salary increase.
Lol that’s all I can say to Mr. Scare-it, he think he fooling civil servants. All this time negotiating, they never budged, now 5 days before general elections they can find the money. Boy if public servants want to drink that cool-aid again and again that is their business but I ain’t drinking that … Them fellas too wicked. All time they living sweet and have no time for the hard working people of Dominica. We are the ones that put you guys there, you never cared for our wellbeing, now that election is around the corner, now you guys care…what a shame on this government. Tell us, who are these ‘friendly governments’ that going to fund you guys giving public servants increase, who are they? Tell us, we want to know who we getting in bed with… Everything is secret secret secret, we fed up with you guys, time to go!
Let me just say that what I heard over the radio from the PM it utter nonsense.
You can’t ask the people to accept and sign a document for no increase, but have it on good faith for an increase.
I hope that Mr. Letang will advise his people to ensure that they get it in writing that they will get their increase. I hope that they will have an iron clad contract for their increase.
The people need and deserve their increase.
that was a very good move sir. we are not puppets. do things with correct procedure. skeritt cant fool us. we will wait for a letter, we will have a meeting, and we will inform him formally.
thank you for making it all about us and inviting us to discuss it with you. thats democracy.
Shame!
Skerrit think people foolish .this is not in ur manifesto that means you never had a plan to do so .now you are loosing votes you are trying a tactical thing .skerrit stop fool Dominicans STOP WE TIRED ….
ZERO . . . . ZERO . . . . . ZERO
That was the Government’s opening position in ongoing negotiations with PSU and PWA.
So UWP thought that it was the Final Negotiated Position?
And they used it as the basis for their Promised Pay Increase to Government workers? . . . hhmmm
Now that the Government’s offer has moved Above the commitment given by UWP in their Social Contract, and with inadequate time before Monday’s election to know what the Final Negotiated Position will be, what is UWP gonna Do?
1. Say Skerrit is Lying and would/could never pay that.?
2. Verbally Amend their Social Contract (Manifesto)?
3. Say UWP is winning anyway, so DLP’s propaganda is unimportant? OR
4. Ignore, Ignore, Ignore, and try changing the focus?
Well, I’d go with 4 . . . .
But whatever UWP chooses to do, it seems to me that Skerro is dribbling Lenny’s balls, . . . again
Or is it Thomas Letang who now has 6 balls in his court? . . . .lol
you sot too we! Skerrit = 3+1+1=5; Linton: 1.5+1.5+3=6
do you see the final answer?
The funniest thing about this comment is that you obviously think you are so smart. LOL LOL LOL
Further more, can Kamala ask Mr. Skerrit to please tell Dominicans the names of the friendly governments?
Good work fellas, do not get involved in their political ploy on the eve of election to try and bamboozle public officers.
What an insult to ask for it in writing? What kind of country is this
if you cannot trusts the words of your own prime minister!
I wonder why…?
The lord God tell us that the heart of men are wicked, evil, and deceitful and Skerrit has proven to take that banner for all men. That is why?
HUhhhhh??? TRUSTTTT??? its obvious u drink d tea too, mr, throw that in d raving lonnng ago ,, we cannot take chance like this any more,, for all we kw Dominica well sell already,,, secret secret secret?? bram bram!!
The PM is man just like everyone else…so why should they not as for it in writing? This is how business is conducted. The offer should have first been put in writing, not leaving the unions to ask for it to be done. Trust which PM? At the end of the day isn’t everyone looking to cover their own tails? So let the people conduct business using international standards.
I think you just answered your own question. Do you buy land with no paper/stamps…just an “I promise”?
I well want the increase teachers getting paid too little for all the things we have to deal with. So that 5% would be greatly accepted. It can block a little hole
This Gov’t negotiationing team is a joke; and it is being controlled and manipulated. I never thought that the likes of the FS, and the other so called professionals could allow them selves to be used so blatantly. To borrow the term by Lennox them have allowed themselves to be prostitued in order to come to this point. Public officer should take this latest offer as a bribe period! What is worst is the fact that they are removing all the non salary issues and other things that were on the negotiating table. Public Officers should feel very insulted because what the FS and the other so called professionals are telling them is that money is the only thing that matters to them and if they dangle a salary increase of 1,1,and 3. the public offiecrs will run accept it and forget the other issues on the table – what a shame and what spine less people. I have also understood that the Ministry of Finance under the directives of the FS is busy trying to adjust figuers so that the economy can show growth of at least 5 to 7 percent – I also understand that the people at the ministry of finance are being force not to cook but bake figures to show growth- so do not be surprise if you should see a release from the Ministry of Finance sometime before monday saying the projected growth of the economy is about 5 to 6%. I mean I have always said that the politicians are not always to be blamed instead it those lazy and manipulated top public officers who allow themselves to be prostituted for what I do not know. Shame on them so called professionals who know better- I am just so pissed!!!!
Fantastic 4
If, assuming that you are in a right state of mind, that is your analysis of the situation, thanks for taking the opportunity to say the nasty things that you obviously always wanted to say about the FS and other professionals. Thanks to Mr. Skerrit for giving you that outlet.
I guess that you will have a chance to get the job of the FS or one of the other top manipulated top public officers after you vote. Let’s hope that you are qualified for it and have what it takes to do these gruelling and stressful jobs, but then again education and qualifications don’t matter, do they? You could always just bluff your way through those jobs, particularly if you can talk well.
Happy voting!
Barbara saunders why do you sound like an idiot? Do you think every time someone ask for better of the ones in charge is because they want their position? This is typically the response someone with no competency will give. Every time we ask for better accountability, transparency, and honesty of the ones in charge we get defensive and think we want their job. Smdh. As I said before; mediocre minds,mediocre people, mediocre performance. People have a right to demand better of the ones in charge. If it ain’t right, fix it. If it ain’t working, remove it.
Thats not worth a response – but if it is worth Shaka -Zulu did a good job of it -happy voting too!
Mr. Skerrit also needs to ease up on his paranoia. Be honest with public servants. We all need sustainable income…not hand-to-mouth subsistence living. “Your two foot in oil” so show respect for public servants!
Amazing
Mr Letang, tell Skerrit and his past government it is too late for negotiating now.
By the time you have to meet with your members, General Election come and gone.
Skerrit wants to play smart but it has back fired right in his nose.
Skerrit,
You are a’joker’ in a pack of card.
Skerrit, you really have no respect for the
people of Dominica.
You are waiting 3 days before election to
make a verbal offer to civil servants.
Where did the 5% come from all of a sudden?
‘Red clinic’ bank.
AA Dec 6 is a Saturday