by Linda Straker
- Hybrid AGM was “biggest gathering of members in a long time”
- Thomas campaigned to remove 1% increase
- Hazzard explained removing increase could negatively affect union’s financial sustainability
- PWU members to continue new structure of dues contribution
Two resolutions seeking to nullify the recent increase in monthly dues or contributions for members of the Grenada Public Workers Union (PWU), were rejected by members who attended the union’s 94th Annual General Meeting (AGM).
“Members upheld the decision to continue the new structure of dues contribution,” said a union member who attended the meeting, which was a combination of in-person and virtual video conferencing. “This was the biggest gathering of members in a long time,” the member added.
The increased dues went into effect from 1 January 2025 after it was approved by the members at the 93rd Annual General Meeting held in March 2024. In keeping with established procedure, the Government was informed about the decision in the last quarter of 2024.
On Tuesday, 18 February 2025, the union received a letter from Carvel Lett, Acting Secretary to the Cabinet of Grenada, requesting that PWU provide information to her office showing the steps taken to increase its dues by 1%. During that same time, the Government had withheld the deductions transfer to the union. The letter from Lett was sent in the midst of campaigning for the union’s 2025 election of a new management committee.
Fimber Thomas, a former first and second vice president who resigned from the union’s management team, and Daizy Hazzard, who served as public relations officer from 2017 to 2025, were both contesting the position of union president. Thomas, in his campaign message to the thousands of public workers, promised to remove the 1% increase, according to an information flyer posted on his Facebook page. However, Hazzard explained that removing the increase can negatively affect the financial sustainability of the union.
Hazzard won the presidency in the 12 March election for the new management committee, which will administer the union’s affairs from 2025 to 2027. She received 593 votes, while Thomas received 507. The AGM was held 15 days after the 2025 election.
