It appears that the Police Welfare Association (PWA) and the government are heading for a showdown after the organization rejected the government’s latest proposal on salary negotiations for the 2015-2018 triennium.
The two parties have been at loggerheads since negotiations began with the PWA rejecting a wage freeze for the period and asking for 15 percent salary increase (5, 5, 5).
The government’s latest proposal is zero percent in the first year, a one-time payment of 50 percent of their salaries in the second year and a three percent increase in the third year.
But the Chairman of the PWA, Jefferson Drigo, has labeled the proposal as “ridiculous and unacceptable” and said the organization has rejected it.
According to Drigo, the executive of the PWA met with the general membership on Friday, April 21 to put forward the latest offer of the government.
“The membership unanimously rejected the offer of the government. We are not going to stand by while police officers who work extremely hard are being disrespected,” he said.
Drigo stated that the meeting was “well attended” and was “incensed” at the government for asking police officers to forgo the first year (2015) when Tropical Storm Erika took place and when they worked “extremely hard saving life and property.”
The PWA will be meeting with the government’s negotiation on May 19, 2017 and Drigo said, “we are looking forward to better days.”
“We are looking forward to an improved offer from government…we are ready with our figures and all our information so by the time we will be ready,” Drigo said. “They gave us some time.”
Forward we go with drigo. We cannot go to red clinic, we are not allowed to be openly involved in politics to beg for help so it is necessary that our salary is reasonably increased to sustain our needs. Some people criticize our request but how many of them knows what it feels like to continually be putting your life on the line for the security of the state for a meagre salary. When last have they ran towards danger as opposed to running away from it. How many of them barely spend time with their wives and children because they have to work in a station for nine days and nights with no overtime. Is really who is in the kitchen that feels the heat. Mr. Drigo has the welfare of the police at heart and should be given full support. He is fearless, determined and a powerful leader.
partners let us accept whatever our pm offer us, UWP supporters that want more money. lets work with our pm. i know things a little tight but we ok for now, he cannot afford to give us anything much now.
that’s the thing fire officers worked twice as hard as anyone. whilst they deserve more no one represents them. please someone talk for them I agree police need more but they getting worst than scrums
The people deserve a living wage, after all they do not have to the red clinic?
Mr. Drigo, what’s ridiculous about the Government offer? To you and your membership it is unacceptable but to use the the word ridiculous when the Government have moved from their 0, 0, 0 position shows a level of hostility on your part. I would hate to think that you are playing politics.
Dont give them some of them to lazy they only working 13days in a month
Drigo we all know is politics you playing, now you taking Government to court to promote you.
how does ‘bread and butter’ issues become politics?
It is a political issue!!!!
Bread and butter doesn’t mean rediculous numbers. If u have 10 children and all of them hungry and they all want a 5pcs KFC does dat means because they want the 5pcs KFC AND YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT U ARE TAKING OUT BREAD AND BUTTER FROM THEIR MOUTH?? Isn’t it better to buy 2lb back and neck and 3lb rice sugar and peas and everyone eat full their stomach and save the rest for later?? Tell Drigo the 100s of police officers his views doesn’t represent us all. So we will atten to listen to wat he has to say but we knows better. And so he is out as our president so. We want our police force free from politics. He Andre and all the rest who is dragging the police force into their politic will be deleted from our association. We deserve better.
What happen “LOL”? On Drigo’s back they send you nuh?
Lol is joke! He who laughs last laugh the best. Every little pig has its Saturday. You all getting allu crumbs from the table so you can ridicule and accuse people who are standing for their rights in this country. BUT one day your or your family’s turn will come and then there will be silence…no one to stand up for you.
I am not a police officer and has not one relative who is a police officer but fair is fair. How come the ministers need all these thousands of dollars to survive in this country and the police officers who are there to protect and serve us are being disrespected in this way? No wonder there are so many unsolved crimes in this country.
Officers do what you gotta do!! We support you guys 100%
We learn to be honest and reasonable in life. This is why every time OUR TURN OR SATUDAY COMES ITS A BLESSING NOT A CURSE. We follow bibblical principles not politic. U can see those who allow their profession to be clouded by politics. So we not laughing nor making fun. We are just blessed and protected by God. Woe be unto those who do otherwise dan what they are paid to do. Ok
No politics. Drigo is very correct and more Police Officers should challenge that promotion Daniel Carbon made. All u can stay in all u comfort zone and accused Drigo of playing politics just wait a few years and all u will see what Daniel Carbon has brought the Police Force too. Drigo is well qualified to be a sergeant of Police within any proper functioning Police Force, Only under Daniel Carbon Police Force competetnt persons like Drigo is a constable of Police, So get all u facts correct,
You idiot red plastic bag Drigo has every reason to go to court with his concerns. After 20 years you are saying he should remain a constable? A… leakers, and tale carriers with less than 20 years. service have been appointed inspector, and more so, far less inelegant than Drigo, so give me a break. Drigo I wish you luck over Carbon. He as commissioner can hardly address a gathering as Drigo does.
But you are darn rude and out of place…If the man deserves to be promoted, why shouldn’t’ he be promoted? Are you an idiot?
2015 in particular was a year when the Police had to give a bit more and I know they served my village Petite Savanne well.