~Union Leader Accuses Government of Dishonesty, Demands Commitment Letter Amid Ongoing Go-slows~
PHILIPSBURG:---The ongoing labor dispute between the Government of Sint Maarten and the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union–Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU) has reached a boiling point, as Union President Sharon Cangieter delivered a blistering response to statements made by Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and his call for the union to “instruct its members” to end their go-slow action.
Speaking at a press update with SMN News following the Prime Minister’s morning conference, Cangieter accused Mercelina of misleading the public, contradicting his own written statements, and attempting to dictate to the union in violation of international labor conventions.
“I am not going to sit here and accept nobody telling lies,” Cangieter declared. “It’s lies. If you listened to the press briefing this morning, the Prime Minister himself tripped himself up.”
According to Cangieter, the Prime Minister’s statements about the Function Book being reviewed and approved by the Central Committee for Civil Servants Unions (CCSU) are “far from the truth.” She revealed that when the union first saw the Function Book, it had already been signed and sealed, leaving no room for the union to make amendments before its implementation.
“When the union got hold of that book, it was already signed, sealed, and delivered,” she explained. “We indicated the faults that were in that book, and the Chief said he would try to pull it back — but later told me he couldn’t because it had already been signed by the Secretary General.”
Cangieter said the union had agreed to allow the Function Book to proceed only under the condition that it would later be corrected and made retroactive to October 10, 2010 (10-10-10) — a key date for public sector regularization.
“If you are telling me that the agreement we made for the function book to go retroactive to 10-10-10 is now being ignored, and you are putting it to go into action from February moving forward, then you are a problem,” she said sharply.
“Stop Talking — Start Writing”
Cangieter blasted the Prime Minister for what she called “gray areas and empty promises” in his letters, accusing him of hiding behind “communication letters” instead of signing a legally binding commitment letter.
“Stop talking. Start writing,” she demanded. “What is so difficult about signing a commitment letter if you’re so committed? Stop giving speeches about commitment — prove it in writing.”
The union leader insisted that what the workers want is not rhetoric but a signed agreement guaranteeing their rightful placement, promotions, and retroactive payments.
“We’re not asking you to turn over the government coffers,” she said. “We’re asking you to commit in writing to what you say you’re already committed to. Without that, your letters are just talk.”
Transparency in Question: “We Heard It from the Media”
Cangieter also revealed that despite the Prime Minister’s assurances of transparency, the union had never been shown the financial breakdown for the proposed retroactive payments.
“We were not told there was any discussion with the Minister of Finance,” she said. “We found out through the media today. So, if transparency is via the media, then I guess that’s how we communicate.”
She argued that if government truly cannot afford to pay, it should come to the table with a plan — not silence.
“We’re not here to kill the government,” she said, “but at the same time, the workers have rights. No employer is allowed to put their knee in their neck.”
Mediation: “We Asked First”
On the issue of mediation, Cangieter clarified that it was the union, not the Prime Minister, who first proposed bringing in a neutral mediator months ago.
“We have been asking for mediation since April,” she stated. “It was the union that proposed a neutral person to help resolve this. The Prime Minister rejected it then — and only now, in his latest letter, has he decided to accept it.”
She added that the union remains open to mediation, provided it is neutral and legally grounded, not politically influenced.
“We need someone who understands what’s on the table and sees through the legalities, not the emotions,” she said. “We’re not dealing with feelings — we’re dealing with the law.”
“We Don’t Take Instructions”
When asked about the Prime Minister’s letter urging her to tell members to end the go-slow, Cangieter didn’t mince words.
“I don’t take instructions,” she said firmly. “The Prime Minister needs to stay on his political level. Nobody instructs the unions. You negotiate with unions.”
Citing ILO Convention No. 87 and Convention No. 144 on tripartite dialogue, Cangieter underscored that the government cannot dictate union actions.
“I’m not a dictator. Our members come with their grievances — if they’re right, I defend them. If they’re wrong, I tell them. But I give no instructions to my members.”
WICSU-PSU Represents Everyone — Fairly and Without Fear”
Cangieter also reaffirmed the union’s long-standing commitment to fairness, equality, and representation across all sectors. She said the WICSU-PSU’s strength lies in its impartial advocacy for all workers, regardless of their department or background.
“We represent everyone — fire, ambulance, civil service, hotel, casino, private sector — all workers who need a voice,” she said. “We don’t play favorites. We fight for what’s legally right, not politically convenient. Our principles are grounded in fairness and justice for all.”Cangieter added that even the Prime Minister, “as a worker like everyone else,” deserves fair representation under the same principles of respect and equality that guide the union’s mission.
“Workers Are Not on Strike — They’re Working Under Pressure”
Cangieter dismissed claims that the Fire and Ambulance Department workers are on strike, clarifying that they are carrying out a legal go-slow due to years of neglect and unresolved issues.
“They are not neglecting their duties,” she said. “They respond to every fire, every ambulance call — they are just doing what the staffing allows. These workers have been overworked and underpaid for years.”
She noted that many fire and ambulance workers are working 16 to 24-hour shifts, far beyond their scheduled hours, out of dedication to public safety.
“They are being neglected by the same country that asks them to put country above self,” she said. “Nobody is seeing the sacrifices they make.”
The Way Forward: “Bring the Mediator and Sign the Letter”
Cangieter ended the press conference with a final call to action for the Prime Minister:
“Let the Prime Minister bring his mediator. There’s no more back and forth. Sign the commitment letter. Because without that, your words are just as cheap as talk.”
She added that the union will continue to operate within the law, but the go-slow will remain in place until there is a signed, binding commitment from the government.
“We’re asking for nothing more, nothing less,” she concluded. “Bring the mediator. Sign the commitment letter. Then we bring this to an end.”
The go-slow action within the Fire and Ambulance Departments remains in effect, with the WICSU-PSU standing firm that no instructions will be given to halt the movement until the government produces a signed commitment letter guaranteeing what it has already promised in writing.
The standoff — marked by accusations of dishonesty, legal wrangling, and demands for accountability — continues to test the limits of labor relations and government credibility in Sint Maarten.
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