~Situation Update on Tuesday, July 13, 2021~
MARIGOT:— As announced on Monday, July 12, 2021, in the press, President Gibbs and the General Directorate of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin received a delegation from the local union UNI.T978, to discuss the 29 points listed on the strike notice that was issued on July 2, 2021.
At this stage, it should be noted that the purpose of this meeting was to provide concrete answers to the legitimate concerns of the employees.
However, after 1h30 of discussions, the social dialogue initiated by President Daniel Gibbs and his team was broken off by the union delegation which decided to leave the negotiating table, consequently terminating the meeting.
Together with her directorates, heads of departments, and staff members, the General Director of the Administration constitutes a fully integrated team of dedicated people at the service of Saint-Martin.
Furthermore, the President insisted that the debate could not be limited to an issue of persons.
“It is therefore an entire team around me and all the people who were all expecting answers to the real issues that were raised.
In the current social and economic context, it is unfortunate that we cannot move forward with the modernization of our administration that is necessary for us to face tomorrow’s challenges.
Our Collectivité has full competency; it is our duty to collectively rise to the occasion.
I call upon the reason and the collective intelligence that we represent together. I am fully aware that the multiple crises we have successively endured have hurt and traumatized us all.
Together, let’s get back up!
This hampering situation cannot go on any longer.
The people of Saint-Martin expect us to provide a public service worthy of their needs and expectations.
While some believe that they legitimately represent all of the Collectivité’s personnel by hampering the entire functioning of the administration, I know that the silent majority, those who do not dare and who are afraid, are fully aware of the extent and the necessity of the change we began together. We are working for them, for every staff member of this Collectivité, in order to provide a service that the Saint-Martiners deserve. “
