Last week alone, no less than five public servants stormed the offices of their union worried that they will be victimized because of their political affiliation.
The General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union Thomas Letang said this is a worrying trend.
He told Dominicanewsonline in an exclusive interview that these Public officers claimed that they are afraid to even participate in activities called by the union.
His comment comes on the heels of statements by Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, who said public officers who may be victimized for standing up against corruption will be reinstated.
“That is something I have been seeing all the time…members come to us, regularly and they say to us that they are afraid to even participate in activities called by the union for fear of victimization,” he said. “There is victimization and a lot of public officers are fearful of that.”
He recalled that there have been instances where members of their union have been victimized.
“We have situations where our President has been victimized,” Letang said.
Letang strongly believes that public officers are free to attend rallies, however they must avoid going on platforms to make political statements.
“You are free to attend any rally,” Letang stated. “That is your right as the citizen of the country.”
To address this issue Letang said educating the public officers is key.
“We have to keep on educating them, we have to get to the work places, we have to meet them on a one-on-one and talk to them, we have to have workshops so we can explain to them what their rights are, go in detailed on the section of the constitution that deals with the rights of a citizens, freedom of expression…,” he urged.
Meantime Letang said there are several other issues affecting public officers including the issue of promotion and appointment in the public service.
“But we have been told that something is going to be done about it and we are patiently waiting,” Letang stated. “If not we will have to take some more action to get it done.”
He mentioned also that there is still the issue of salary negotiations.
“We have the issue of negotiations and I must report that we have had three sessions of negotiations,” he revealed. “We have not agreed to anything yet or we are not seeing anything that is important so that we could call the members, but we are hoping to do that in a few weeks’ time and after that we will be calling the members together.”
A committee has been appointed to review the minimum wage and according to Letang, that committee has already met twice and is collecting data.
Why this ugly man do not go into retirement
That is a very stupid, and un-call- for comment; in spite of his conduct, unable to function and perform; he is God creation!
If you think the man is ugly argue with God Jehovah about his phenotype.
Your mentality is ugly, meaning you are the ugly one not him!
It is only in Dominica miserable idiots call people ugly; who the hell are you, a nameless, faceless specimen to refer to a human as ugly?
I detest that sort of foolishness; when I was kid in Wesley about seven years old I was called ugly; that affected me in a psychology way, even to the time I became a man in my twenties.
It was not until, I was living in Germany I was told I am a handsome man, the psychological effect that lie had on me was broken!
Fact is even in my old age women less than half my age flirts, and associate with me!
Only illiterate people talk such nonsense about others!
“I detest that sort of foolishness” Who are you to judge the attitude or conduct of anyone?
You are rambling against the person’s thought, who said the man is ugly, talking about “God created him”
Go to your comment about me above, see the number of times you have labeled my character with derogatory judgments, all are from the ugly bald head of yous. You claim that I am “evil” compare this with saying that someone is “ugly”
But the things you speak against me cannot affect me, especially that I know if I was on your side, you would speak differntly–I will never follow your choice!
Those are your words: “Thomas, you are sitting there with this stupid looking smirk on your face; you are a total joke-man; a total waste of time!” Compare this to the person’s remarks above.
And one more thing: “You are a very “ugly” person, “physically” and “mentally”. That person who told you that you are handsome is a liar, just like you!
My opinions of that man according to his do nothing and his smirk is correct.
Nevertheless; I would never make myself an idiot to call him or anybody else ugly; for though all are not children of God, we are all his creation, and if you that little-foot thinks I am ugly that is a matter for you!
But!
You have forgotten one thing; and that is one day when I was on my way to Canada to see you; and days past when you thought I lost; remember you began calling everybody number you knew might know where I was?
Remember, you cried over me?
Remember you that Elizabeth deer, cried for this whom you claimed is an ugly man, eh, eh, eh?Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
You can call me lie as much as you wish, but, but that was not what you said about my balled when you were playing with it oui!
Now your friend Roosevelt joined the balled-head gang; how about that?
Roosevelt Skerrit head balled oui!
He behaves like a politician the only solution is to vote him out, I know that there is someone else that would do a better job.
Thomas, you are sitting there with this stupid looking smirk on you face; you are a total joke-man; a total waste of time!
If there is anyone man in Dominica with the potential to bring Roosevelt to his knees, and free Dominica from the tentacles of that corrupted dictator Roosevelt Skerrit it is you.
Nevertheless, it would appear that you might be bought and paid for, and like a robot exists under the influence of Roosevelt!
What are you; a man or a mouse?
When we have power in our hands there comes a time when we need to wheal it!
In general you are spewing nonsense rather than protecting the people you should be representing; while they are victimized everyday.
Letang needs some sleep. Can’t you all see the man is still asleep. He just waking up with mote in his eyes.
He is not asleep, he is just very ugly. Those who came to him were not worried of victimization after the visit, they felt frightened.
Mr Letang you are a con artist . You talk in public like you care about the public officers but behind closed doors you work against them.
Remember you are a member of the public and police service commission . Explain to your members about the victimization transfers that were done on 15th august 2018 ?
You talk for members but represent the government behind the scenes.
you say you will hold them by their balls, but is your members balls they holding. like you said public officers are being victimzed…
My question to you is, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT ?”
BECAUSE AS FAR AS WE CAN SEE…. YOU DO NOTHING !
YOU ARE JUST A TALK SHOP
Victimization by the ruling party of elites abounds in Dominica, no question about that. The union members are petrified of unfair treatment or even losing their jobs if their show support for their union’s initiatives. Despite this, they should muster the courage and demonstrate in huge numbers to effect changes that will bring economic benefits to themselves. In order for the leadership of the union to be effective, it must have confidence in the solid and unwavering support of its members. Courage is the greatest virtue. One cannot effect change in a dictatorial country like Dominica without taking risks. Look at Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Mahatma Gandhi and other great leaders. They showed courage and took risks. Mr. Letang, your cowardice is conspicuous. You lack the necessary courage to be an effective leader. Nothing good comes easy, most tomes you have to fight vigorously for it.
Mr. Letang I am extremely disappointed in you as General Secretary of the DPSU. This is another political smokescreen on behalf of the UWP. Victimization of public servants is not anything new. Every administration in Dominica including your darling UWP has been accused of Political victimization of public servants. For all these years you sat there as a lame duck doing nothing about it but today Pm Skerrit announced that elections will be within a 100 days you jump forward as a wolf in sheep clothing singing an old hackneyed hymn political victimization. Now you want to plan workshops and all kinds of meetings. Mr. Letang you have failed the DPSU miserably
Letang you need to stop talking rubbish, You have the fiduciary responsibility to ensure that employees are treated fairly, ensure good working conditions and wages. For the pas decades you have done nothing as complacency has set in on you as in my opinion your union hold a monopoly as it depends on a government structure. it is evident as you have realized that all the other unions have faded due to the fall in membership secondary to the fact that unions are being regarded as a thing of the past.
let me remind you that the unions serves as the sole mediator between the employer and the employee. The union,
Can’t you guys put aside your poli-tricks-ing for at least after the independence celebration so that we can at least enjoy celebrating our independence with some semblance of unity. According to the PM, you have at least 100 days to try and fool as many people as you can (who will allow you to fool them), but for now let’s all celebrate our independence as one nation………….Thanks!
DNO, you have a responsibility, as a responsible media, to try and unite this nation by printing positive stories for at least the independence period. Ignore the politics.
The power of the people is greater than the people in power. Those of you who are afraid to be seen in opposition colors need to understand that there is strength in unity. So mobilize as many workers as each of you can and got to the functions together. Surely they cannot victimize and entire department. That would drive fear in the surrogates of the DLP/SFP. You must also remember that elections are drawing nearer. Mobilize the workers and get them ready to make that X. If you cut off a snakes head it is harmless. Let your vote cut the throat of this corrupt labor and then you will be free to speak your mind. Remember that you are voting for generations to come. Do the right thing. Do not let fear overcome you. Show your affiliation with the UWP so that if you are victimized you will be treated fairly after the elections.
Wow! Looks like Letang has BEDROOM EYES MAN!
Letang, looks like every time Lennox come up with his …. YOU seem to follow suit. Boss if You are a politician I urge you to give up your present post and jump in the ring.
You are using the PSU as a political base. Stop it cockey eye rooster!
No real man says that about a next man (Bedroom eyes). You are creepy.
You dam lie on that on we!! This is real people with being painted red and blue. And the worse part is people like Me Sea and Ed Gar that are openly canvassing for candidates AGAINST THE LAW!
This message is sending such a childish opinion, it is hard to believe that it is coming from someone who claims to be guiding the “public workers” of Dominica.
All of a sudden everyone is claiming “victimization” a claim that sounds like a fairy tale. Like the mind has gone mad and everyone is hallucinating
None of this makes sense the right-thinking mind, that is like pure madness, wee!
Liz, this facially challenged sapiens only represent himself. He is an agent of the uwp who exploiting the civil service.
How is this fifth grader a true representative of the most educated and qualified group of government employees.
What positive contribution has he made on behalf of civil servants. He is trying to put their jobs in jeopardy.
He is trying his ugliest to create an environment of antagonism in the workplace of the civil servants.
He is attempting to make them set aside their ethical professionalism as regards, General Orders and financial and store rules. He is trying to create chaos and incompetence in the work place so the government can be blamed and harassed.
Better facially challenged as in his case, than mentally challenged as in your case. You are a sorry creature…!
L’étang is an ineffective leader who lacks leadership and depends on propaganda make himself relevant. L’étang Your function is to take the bull by the horns.He has to take the responsibility to educate and most of all lay off the political parroting and be a much more responsible leader. Otherwise, dude you got to go.
Mr. Letang as a member of the PSU, I urge you PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE train your employees. They’re very UNPROFESSIONAL and they’re attitude scream ‘I DON’T CARE!!!’ Thank you…
big joker you are , that Latang .
is because of you the present union have no teeth .
Just look at the smirk on that guys face , and you can see what he is really and truly about .
does he look like any union boss to you ?
”Personal gains” written all over him .
That union will never get anywhere with such a leader, trust me .
A total waste of position that .
No… It is small minded to victimize people because they are affiliated with, or do not support, a particular political party. It is precisely because this country is stagnant in terms of growth, and small in terms of size/population that this is such a big issue here. There. Fixed your delusions for you.
Thomas THE BALLS Letang,you cost Dale Laurent and others at Public works their JOBS. Now Public Works workers are making money,because of your POLITICAL BIAS,these people have lost their JOBS.You are all about yourself.Public Officers are paying YOU union dues for NOTHING.
Sir skerrit went on a platform and tell u and the world he run tings he will never sit with u and talk, 1.2 billion somewhere and he wanted to give u 0.0.0 lets hit the streets, u see what’s happening in haiti they come out in the thousands that what we want to see on the streets of Roseau let’s go my people.
All of you together must put Mr. Skerrit in his place. Clearly, he has no respect for the public service. Shut down the country! Show him who really ” run things in Dominica”
Idiot #2 SHUTTING DOWN THE COUNTRY IS NOT A DISEASE UNTO SKERRIT the lesson that will be taught is our own livelihood being destroyed… Tourist fear of visiting our shores will definitely kill the vendors and other stake holders, with a shut down farmers cannot export importers cannot import who you think will feel the pinch ……!!!!!!! WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY MORE THAN FOOLISH STUPID POLITICS!!!!
Letang is weak!
I often wonder when Dominicans are going to stop politicizing everything under the sun. In every country in the world, someone will get victimized, whether it is for party loyalty or company loyalty. The country will never , ever grow if people remain so small minded. Politicians, Union bosses, Opposition members, members of the ruling party, it is high time you all grow up and thing country firts and not SEL.
Mr Letang the time is now rally your troops we need them more than ever let give skerrit what he deserve let shut it down before independence theirs plenty more to come .Dominicans we need all boots on the ground SHUT IT DOWN NOW.
More like jackal
NO SLACK FOR THE MAD Dr Dr! Time to SHUT IT DOWN mr. Letang. What are you waiting for bro?
You have 5 civil servants coming to you in one week because of fear of victimization and you talking about educating them? Give me a darn break. They are educated enough to come to you and report what is happening so what are you doing still talking? Waiting for your kool-out too? There will always be dissenting voices since you can’t please everyone so instead of going on Q-95 and repeating the same darn thing over and over and over again grow so cahunas and SHUT DOWN the place in support of your workers.
Because of your inaction Public Works is no more and yet you continue to play karkar-dore (back backing) with Skerrit and them. When Letang, when will you stand with CCM and others in the civil disobedience campaign. Alas man! Too much darn talk bro you starting to sound like a toothless lion.
Idiot SHUTTING DOWN THE COUNTRY is not a disease upon Skerrit, it is an economic melt down for ALL OF US so stop your foolish ignorance, hatred and arrogance!!!!!!
Joe, they will never shut down the country because they will not get paid. those uwp fifth graders who cannot take care of themselves will be cursing Linton, then begging the PM to forgive them to let them return to work.
yes shut down the country for political reasons and see who suffers the most.
Dominica is experiencing an economic meltdown already courtesy of your God Skerrit. Not only is your master totally incompetent but he is also a thief! Now there we have the truth!