PHILIPSBURG:--- To all concerned NAPB members who recently expressed their concerns through a letter to the editor, and to NAPB President Mr. Marcus Pantophlet, whose immediate and accurate response is acknowledged and appreciated, The Windward Islands Civil Servants Union – Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU) wishes to clarify the legal framework governing membership within the Central Committee of Civil Servants Unions (CCSU) and reaffirm its longstanding commitment to unity and fair representation.
Let us be clear: No trade union, nor its president, has the authority to prevent another union from becoming a member of the CCSU or any other statutory body for which it meets the legal requirements.
The CCSU is a government-established consultative body governed by Chapter Xa of the Landsverordening materieel ambtenarenrecht (LMA), entitled Overleg rechtspositie overheidsdienaren, specifically Articles 112a through 112f.
These provisions establish the legal framework for the recognition and participation of representative trade unions. Article 112c addresses application procedures and required documentation, while Article 112d establishes the representativity criteria, including the applicable membership threshold. Formal
recognition is granted by ministerial decision under Article 112d(4).
The Department of Personnel facilitates the administrative process and assesses the relevant documentation; however, the legal authority to grant recognition rests with the competent Minister, not with WICSU-PSU, its President, or any other trade union.
It is therefore regrettable that concerns have been directed toward the President of WICSU-PSU when a clearer understanding of the applicable legal provisions and information previously communicated to the unions could have prevented unnecessary misunderstandings.
A History of Support and Collegiality
For several years, our colleague union NAPB has faced challenges in satisfying the statutory eligibility requirements for formal CCSU membership. Nevertheless, the unions represented within the CCSU have consistently demonstrated their willingness to support NAPB's participation.
During an earlier term, under the presidency of Mr. Stuart Johnson of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU), the sitting unions collectively agreed to allow NAPB to participate as an observer. In a further demonstration of solidarity, then-President Johnson extended WITU's voting rights to NAPB representatives on matters specifically concerning Justice workers.
This was a significant gesture of cooperation, recognizing the importance of ensuring that Justice workers represented by NAPB had a voice in discussions affecting their employment conditions. Furthermore, on numerous occasions during meetings with NAPB members, the President of WICSU-PSU has openly expressed her support for NAPB becoming a full member of the CCSU. She has also advocated for amendments to the existing legislation to address the eligibility requirements that have prevented NAPB from qualifying for formal membership.
During the 2024–2026 term, the unions within the CCSU once again supported efforts to facilitate NAPB's participation.
These actions demonstrate that WICSU-PSU and its colleague unions have not sought to exclude NAPB. On the contrary, they have consistently supported its inclusion.
However, support for inclusion must also respect the existing legal framework. While the unions have advocated for legislative amendments, until those amendments are formally enacted, the responsible authorities remain bound by the law as it currently stands.
Neither WICSU-PSU nor any other union can compel the competent authorities to disregard statutory requirements. Our responsibility is to continue advocating for the necessary changes through the appropriate legal and consultative processes.
Clarification Regarding ABVO's Representation
WICSU-PSU also wishes to clarify the situation concerning our colleague union ABVO.
According to information provided by the Department of Personnel through its customary official communiqué, which is circulated to all unions outlining which organizations qualify for representation in the upcoming CCSU term and, where applicable, the reasons for non-qualification, ABVO had maintained its previous level of representation based on the applicable criteria.
However, due to the non-submission of certain required documents, the formalization of ABVO's representation was placed on hold pending receipt of the outstanding documentation.
It is important to emphasize that this information was officially communicated by the Department of Personnel to all unions through the established notification process. The determination was therefore not made by WICSU-PSU or any other participating union.
We encourage members to seek clarification from their respective union leadership before drawing conclusions or directing accusations toward fellow unions or their representatives, particularly when the relevant information has already been formally communicated to all unions.
Transparency, accurate information, and open communication remain essential to maintaining trust, cooperation, and solidarity within the trade union movement.
Proposed Amendments to Chapter Xa of the LMA
During the 2022–2026 period, the unions represented within the CCSU collectively proposed amendments to Chapter Xa of the LMA, particularly concerning the existing representativity quota. The objective was to facilitate membership for unions representing specific categories of workers, including teachers and Justice workers, whose membership numbers may not satisfy the general threshold despite their important representative role.
These proposals were submitted through the appropriate channels. However, the necessary legislative amendments have not yet been enacted.
For the past three CCSU terms, reforming this chapter of the LMA has remained a recurring priority among the participating unions.
This issue continues to form part of the discussions between the Government Negotiation Team (GNT) and the Union Negotiation Team (UNT), in which the respective union presidents participate or are represented.
The objective remains a more inclusive CCSU that ensures fair and effective representation for civil servants, teachers, Justice workers, and other categories of government employees.
November 4 Membership Meeting: Ensuring Workers Have a Voice
WICSU-PSU also wishes to clarify the purpose of the membership meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
The meeting is intended to inform members of the proposals being advanced in the ongoing negotiations, explain their implications, and provide members with the opportunity to express their concerns, recommendations, and positions before decisions affecting their careers and working conditions are made.
These negotiations concern civil servants and teachers across government ministries, departments, and educational institutions. By extension, they may also influence workers in sectors of the economy where employers utilize the LMA as a guideline for employment conditions.
Among the matters being addressed are structured indexation, salary improvements, the proposed 36- hour workweek, the 13th month, improvements to the legal position of civil servants and teachers, and recognition of frontline workers.
Workers should not simply be informed of decisions after they have been made. They deserve the opportunity to participate in shaping decisions that affect their careers, livelihoods, and future. The meeting is therefore intended to strengthen membership participation and ensure that the Union Negotiation Team advances positions that reflect the concerns and priorities of the workers it represents.
These are not WICSU-PSU negotiations or negotiations belonging to any individual union. They are collective negotiations concerning ALL OF US.
ILO Convention No. 87 and CCSU Representation
Reference has also been made to International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise.
WICSU-PSU fully supports the principles of this Convention, including the fundamental right of civil servants, teachers, and other workers to establish and join trade unions of their choosing.
However, a distinction must be made between the right to organize and the statutory requirements for membership within a government-established consultative body.
Convention No. 87 protects freedom of association but does not automatically confer membership in every statutory consultative body. Nevertheless, national eligibility requirements must be applied consistently with the principles of freedom of association and fair representation.
The matter concerning NAPB and ABVO is therefore not about their right to exist or represent their members. It concerns compliance with the legal requirements governing formal participation within the CCSU.
WICSU-PSU remains committed to advocating for legislative amendments that promote broader inclusion while respecting the laws currently in force.
A Call for Unity and Collective Responsibility
Members continuously call upon trade unions to stand together and speak with one voice on matters affecting civil servants and teachers.
It is therefore concerning when misunderstandings create the impression that one union is working against another, particularly when the history of the CCSU demonstrates repeated efforts toward cooperation and inclusion.
We must ask ourselves: What are we achieving if, at a time when workers need unity the most, we allow incomplete information and misunderstandings to divide us?
There are far too many pressing matters affecting our members, their families, their working conditions, and their future for our collective attention to be diverted by unnecessary divisions.
WICSU-PSU respects NAPB, ABVO, WITU, and all colleague unions, their leadership, and the workers they represent. We recognize the importance of ensuring that teachers, Justice workers, civil servants, and other employees have meaningful representation in discussions affecting their professional and personal lives.
We also believe that union leaders have a responsibility to keep their members accurately informed, while members should feel empowered to seek clarification and engage constructively with their representatives.
Our commitment remains to work alongside all colleague unions toward the necessary amendments to Chapter Xa of the LMA and a more inclusive, representative, and effective CCSU.
No union should be viewed as the enemy of another. Our collective responsibility is to protect the rights, interests, and dignity of the workers we represent.
The strength of the trade union movement lies not simply in the number of unions seated around the table, but in our willingness to stand together for the benefit of every worker.
Unity is not merely something we call for. It is something we must practice.
The Board of the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union – Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU)
Together in Solidarity, Stronger in Unity.
