WICSU/PSU meets with reps, members in Saba and Statia

The Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) met with its members and representatives in Saba and St. Eustatius during visits to both islands recently, writes The Daily Herald.

WICSU/PSU President Henrietta Doran-York said the union’s membership related many grievances including claims that their rights were being trampled upon by supervisors and managers and in the case of civil servants, by Government.

“On both islands these claims were very similar. During the visits the union visited Commissioners Zaandam and Mc Kenzie in St. Eustatius. Even though it was an impromptu visit, the Commissioners welcomed the union representatives and they continued with a meeting with Commissioner Mc Kenzie, who answered the many questions posed to her by the union and vowed to look into the different queries that needed further attention,” WICSU/PSU said in a press release.

The union also met with the Leader of Government of St. Eustatius Clyde Van Putten, who gave the union a breakdown on the changes since October 10, 2010, and the struggles that the island was facing. The union said Van Putten promised to visit the workers who raised grievances and to look into the issues they faced.

In Saba, the union met with Lt. Governor Johnson, Acting Secretary, Head of Human Resources and an advisor. “Although the request of the union to meet the Lt. Governor was on short notice … the Lt. Governor accepted right away to meet with the union and the shop stewards in Saba. This meeting, however, turned out to be very brief as the Lt. Governor and his team were not prepared to answer any questions unless they were first forwarded, which would then give them ample time to prepare properly to answer. This was respected by the union and a follow-up meeting should follow in the not too distant future.”

The union said it will defend the rights of the workers and will also ensure that the conditions under which they work are good. “The union will ensure that there is job security and equal treatment for one and all… The Union also encourages the workers to strive to produce according to what is required of them and also to the satisfaction of their superiors,” WICSU/PSU said in the release.