Employees at the St Lucia Postal Service are still awaiting a solution to the issues which caused the staff to initiate industrial action two weeks ago. The workers had downed their tools, citing disrespect, after a new postmaster general was appointed. According to the staff, the post could have competently been filled from within their ranks. In their opinion, a hard working member of the postal team was slighted by that decision.
Sources close to the conflict suggest that this employee had been acting in the capacities of (Ag) Post Master General, Human Resource Manager and (Ag) Deputy Post Master for a period of seven months. Yet, when it came time to fill the Post Master General position, she was purportedly denied the opportunity to apply. In solidarity, her coworkers staged protest action, refusing to work unless the matter was addressed.
The workers are represented by the St Lucia Civil Service Association, who has begun negotiations on their behalf. A letter to the permanent secretary in the ministry of finance Francis Fontinelle was penned by the CSA on April 5th, 2024. The correspondence outlined the employees’ grievances and requested clarification on behalf of their members.
It remains to be seen what steps will be taken by the public service commission to rectify the situation.
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