PHILIPSBURG:--- The Windward Islands Civil Servants' Union & Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU) has issued a formal letter to the Parliament of Sint Maarten, confirming the continuation of its "go-slow" action as the labor dispute with governmental bodies remains unresolved. The communication, dated February 2, 2026, outlines the union's position, the circumstances leading to the ongoing industrial action, and explicitly calls on Parliament to intervene and ensure the resolution of key issues.
The letter addresses Members of Parliament directly, emphasizing the significance of legislative oversight in protecting workers’ rights and maintaining a fair and productive labor environment. WICSU-PSU highlights its repeated attempts to engage both the government and other relevant authorities in dialogue, expressing disappointment over what the union perceives as insufficient action from official channels. The union urges Parliament to exercise its authority and hold the government accountable for honoring prior commitments and expediting negotiations.
Central to the dispute are unresolved labor negotiations involving demands for improved working conditions, equitable compensation adjustments, and remediation of long-standing grievances. The union notes in the letter that the “go-slow” action—a form of protest where employees deliberately reduce their work pace—will persist until meaningful progress is made. Public sector operations across a range of services are affected, leading to slower administrative processing and delays that directly impact the community.
Leadership within WICSU-PSU details its frustration regarding what it describes as protracted delays and a lack of good faith bargaining from the government side. The letter also references previous written agreements and pledges from authorities, noting that key issues remain unaddressed, prompting the union to escalate its call for intervention by formally notifying Parliament.
Serving as an official notice to both union members and parliamentary authorities, the document reaffirms the union's unity and its unwavering stance on the importance of negotiation. It insists that resuming productive and earnest dialogue is fundamental to resolving the current impasse, and calls on Parliament to facilitate and monitor the process more closely. The union also reminds Parliament of its legal and moral responsibility to safeguard both the rights of workers and the ongoing provision of essential public services.
The broader impact of the ongoing “go-slow” is already being felt across government departments and the wider community, with delays in administrative processes and service delivery continuing as the industrial action persists.
WICSU-PSU concludes the letter by expressing hope for a swift and amicable resolution, reiterating that the union remains open to genuine negotiations. Until the union’s demands are met and the dispute is resolved, however, the go-slow action will go on. As of the time of writing, there has been no official statement from the government or Parliament in response to the union's latest communication. The issue continues to be a source of concern for public service employees, Parliament, and the people of Sint Maarten.
Click here to read the letter sent to the Parliament of Sint Maarten.