Marigot: --- Almost three hundred of the civil service of the Collectivity of Saint Martin down tools this morning as their union seeks to have the President of the COM Frantz Gumbs and his cabinet enforce the protocol that was signed with the Union CTCG and the former President of the COM Louis Constant Fleming. The protocol was signed in May 2008 said the general secretary of UACL, CGTG de Saint Martin Serge Wienum.
Wienum said while the strike is one of a peaceful nature, the intention of the Union is to get the COM to begin implementing the protocol since workers of the COM did not see a promotion or increase in salaries for over ten years. He said one of their concerns is to make sure the local job force is given equal opportunity when there is a vacancy within the civil service. One of their main concerns is the employment of several persons who are not from St. Martin and are earning close to 4000. Euros per month as well as housing and transportation.
The union representatives met with the management of the COM where they began discussing the grievances of the local civil core.
Students attending school was not able to get their lunch since the canteen workers are part of the industrial action. One of the protestors placed a lock at the gate of the one of the schools in French Quarter leaving the children locked out. This of course did not sit well with the union since they intended to hold a peaceful protest.
Should the discussions not bear positive fruits the strike would continue said Wienum.
Among the strikers was the brother of the President Fabien Gumbs.
Second Vice President Claire Javios was among the workers as they protest. The VP was the only elected official who made sure she is seen with the local people during the action.