ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC—The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) says it is seeking a 15 percent salary increase for its members over a three-year period.
DPSU general secretary Thomas Letang told a meeting of the union’s membership that “we have looked at the rate of inflation… and we are proposing to the government that for the 2021-22 financial year, public officers be paid a four percent salary increase.
“For the years 2022-23, we are proposing a five percent salary increase (and) for the years 2023-24, your executive is proposing a six percent salary increase.
“So, brothers and sisters, we are proposing a 15 percent salary increase over a three-year period. We will be told that the government embarked on a reclassification exercise. We have always said to you that a reclassification exercise, especially one where large groups of public officers are disadvantaged, is not a salary increase.”
Letang told the membership that reclassification “is not a salary increase,” warning “so when we decide brothers and sisters to stand and to send that message that we want a salary increase, and we want something reasonable and fair, I expect that whatever dream that you now have, will become a reality.”
Letang said members should also stand in solidarity with workers at two state-owned entities, where in one case, the employees have not received a salary increase for decades.
“ We should have dreams and visions to work in solidarity with our members at DASPA (Dominica Air and Seaport Authority) because these employees are the very same people who forfeited a salary increase because of COVID, and they are now being offered increases that do not take the rate of inflation into consideration,” he said, adding “we have to be in solidarity with them.
“We have to be in solidarity with our members, our brothers and sisters at Discover Dominica because what has been told to them is that they will not be getting a salary increase after they have not received a salary increase for over a decade,” Letang said.
Meanwhile, Cyprian Montrope, the president of the Civil Service Association in St. Lucia, who also addressed the meeting, urged members to support the DPSU in its quest for increased salaries.
“Too often, we allow the executive to do all the hard work, but we, the members, only want to know what the percentage increase would be, not necessarily giving them the support that would cause that increase to be what you expect it to be…and also the conditions of work.
“I urge you, the members, to give all your support. Support means coming to meetings and speaking to every member and non-member wherever you work,” the St. Lucian trade unionist said.
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