The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) and the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) reiterate that the salary increase negotiations with the government remain unsolved. DPSU General Secretary Thomas Letang said other Caribbean countries such as St. Kitts and Guyana increased their workers salaries and allowances and Dominica can very much do the same.
Letang said the government of Dominica is very rich and capable of doubling the salaries of all public workers if the DLP administration wants. According to him, “there is a lot of money going around, and we can afford it.” He said there is justification for industrial action or strike until the DLP administration considers the issue of salary increase for all public workers.
He said negotiating for salary increase during an election year is not political in any way with the union, and that the union will demand for salary increase whether it is the DLP or UWP or FDP that is in power. He clarified that the strike action embarked by DPSU was initiated by members of the union and not by the executives.
Meanwhile, president of the Dominica Association of Teachers, Mervin Alexander, revealed that the DAT has submitted a proposal to the government for salary and allowances. He said the negotiating team of DAT has not obtained any specific assurance of action or any counter-proposals from the government, adding that the public should not listen to any unsubstantiated rumour except what the association makes public.
He urged teachers to do their duties to their students regardless of whether the government increases their salaries and allowances or not; he said the government will surely come around on this and expressed hopes teachers will enjoy higher payments. He tasked teachers to continue imparting knowledge and shaping the lives of their students since their reward is fast on its way.
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