Govt. letters confirm function book revisit, retroactive claim path, staff placement plan

GREAT BAY--The Government of St. Maarten has reiterated its position and outlined next steps to address matters concerning emergency services in two letters sent to the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union–PSU (WICSU-PSU) on October 24 and November 5, 2025. (𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺).

In the October 24 letter, addressed to WICSU-PSU President Ms. Sharon Cangieter, the Prime Minister confirmed that government agreed to begin negotiations with the union on the draft covenant and to “initiate a revisit of the current function book as requested.” The correspondence noted that formalization of related points depends on the outcome of that revisitation, and that government’s negotiating team remains prepared to commence talks on the covenant.

The October 24 letter also recorded three operational commitments. First, on recommendations of the Fire Chief, the Department of Personnel and Organization, together with Fire Department management, has been instructed to begin staff placement in accordance with the newly established function book, with members able to use the general placement policy’s claim process should they believe they are entitled to retroactive payments. Second, the placement process will address the request referenced as point two in the union’s document “Proposal of Fire Department WICSU.” Third, consistent with prior meetings and within the CCSU framework, there is an existing agreement to revisit the function book within three years.

In the November 5 follow-up letter, the Prime Minister stated that the matters referenced in the union’s draft commitment letter were already addressed on October 24, and that there is no justification for signing an additional commitment letter on the same subject. The Prime Minister confirmed that the placement process will proceed, that a national decree establishing the placement and objection committees is being finalized, and that the Department of P&O will brief staff on procedures and provide support during implementation. The November 5 letter reiterated that the placement process includes a claim process for those members eligible for retroactive payments, and again acknowledged the existing CCSU agreement to revisit the function book within three years.

Citing these steps and the continued commitment to address the operational needs of the Fire Department, the Prime Minister wrote that there is no need for continuation of the go-slow action and strongly urged the union to instruct its members to cease the action. The letter proposed that both parties promptly agree on a date to continue formal negotiations on the draft covenant so the remaining issues can be handled in a structured, transparent, results-oriented manner.

Government expressed its intent to ensure equitable outcomes for all staff within a framework of transparency and due process, and reaffirmed its readiness to proceed with negotiations on the draft covenant.

Cangieter has pressed for a binding commitment letter that locks in three points the union says have been on the table for months, and do not see these two letters as commitments. The union wants a clear commitment letter, with timelines, for correct placement of firefighters in the function book, recognition of career lines, and retroactive effect where the law and prior decisions support it. She said government messaging is inconsistent, with one side suggesting the function book is closed and another suggesting it can be revisited, and she asked for a clear commitment.

(𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 below)

‍