As the NBD celebrates forty-Seven (47) years in existence, so does the Dominica Amalgamated Workers Union (DAWU), celebrates forty-seven (47) years of representation for the workers of the National Bank of Dominica Ltd (NBD).

Yet in all of the years this is the first time that the Union and the Bank has had more conflict/disputes with the new heads, now operating at the NBD. Even more so, as the Bank has brought in a Grenadian as Executive Manager, Human Resource and Talent. The Union recognizes that with the advent of this individual, the attitude is that of “no more union.” There are about ten (10) Executive Managers and about twelve (12) Managers, many of them non-Dominican, yet the working environment has become more toxic than ever. Instead of trying to efficiently run/organize the workforce and create a more work-life balance for the staff, the Bank has created a counselling program for those who keep getting sick from the stress of the job.

Here are some of the concerns that the NBD employees are going through:

All communication with the Union related to the employment of staff, disciplinary actions, promotions have been stopped.

In addition, the Union received a letter from the Bank informing the Union that as of April 01, 2025, twenty-one (21) union members would be unilaterally removed from the Bargaining Unit. The reason being that overnight these employees had become “managerial employees.” As a result of the Union’s response, the Bank then sort to intimidate the employees by threatening them to send in cancellation letters to the Union. The Union then sorted out the ILO’s assistance which came in very quickly, but to no avail. Since the employees were threatened, letters of cancellation arrived very swiftly.

The junior employees are not “managerial employes,” since they do not have all the amenities, including  television sets etc, in their working areas, and do not have the power to take decisions as the “managerial employees.”

The new Executive Manager, HR, has amended the dress code policy to include nose earring and multiple ear piercing, whilst giving the supervisors more work to supervise nose rings and ear piercing. The Managing Director says that she is Ok with that.

Prayers will now be replaced by a “pledge.” We say yes to “pledge,” but prayer first.

The Union has written to the BOD of the Bank for their assistance, but no response.

In the meantime, there are many, many issues/.concerns affecting the workers – some as three (3) years outstanding, and no effort by the Bank to correct. The Bank has said that they are working on it but has done nothing.

The Union filed a complaint to the Minister of Labor for mediation, however two attempts by the Labor Division failed, since the Bank refused to release the Shop Stewards to attend the meetings.

The Union has also sorted the support of its members and have received their overwhelming support. On each of the Mondays, when the mediation meetings were to take place the members all turned out in black clothing, as a form of support and solidarity.

In recent times the Bank acquired both Staff and customers of two other Banks, which meant more work for the employees, yet the Bank has not given any salary increases for the past three (3) years, and no bonus at the end of the year, after working hard throughout the year. Yet the employees see that lots of money is given towards donations and other activities, taking place in on Island.

The Bank has now called a general Staff meeting today, while it postponed the mediation meeting that was scheduled yesterday, another form of intimidation to the employees, and lack of respect for the Union. Will the Bank again listen to all the employees’ concerns and do nothing about fixing the damage, and distress that it is causing to the employees right now?

Based on the above, and the upcoming May Day celebration of workers, the DAWU is expecting that something significant take place this year, and is calling on ALL Workers and Union Leaders, to come out and show support for each worker in Dominica. Workers remember that  it is not the General Secretaries who are the Union. The Union is every worker, and as always, UNITY IS STRENGH

By Leah Shillingford, Secretary – DAWU