Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has explicitly stated that there will be no industrial dispute with the trade unions regarding wage negotiations.
During his recent End-of-Year Media Conference, the Prime Minister underlined the necessity for effective pay discussions between the Civil Service Association (CSA) and the Government’s Negotiating Team (GNT).
He expects swift action, urging the GNT to move forward with discussions with public servants expeditiously.
“I have been informed that the Government Negotiating Team and the trade unions have successfully reached agreements on all allowances and benefits, including a definitive 13% wage increase for the period 2022-2028,” said Pierre.
“A tax-free back pay will be issued in February 2025,” he further stated.
This six-year agreement is considered a substantial and assertive endorsement of confidence and trust in Saint Lucia’s public servants.
However, following PM Pierre’s statement in December, members of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) have expressed various views on the government’s projected 13% wage increase over the protracted period.
In response to the PWA’s membership’s concerns, the government says it is willing to discuss this topic to avoid any detrimental influence on industrial relations.
Despite this transparency, PWA President Cameron Laure remains steadfast in his opposition to the planned pay hike. He emphasises unsolved issues about fringe benefits and the lengthy six-year negotiation, stating that the proposal falls short of resolving the membership’s major concerns.
Interestingly, the PWA is divided, with some members expressing their support for the Prime Minister’s recently announced 13% increase.
The Prime Minister is adamant that the government’s team and the PWA will engage in constructive negotiations to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome as this situation continues to evolve.
Last month, Prime Minister Pierre addressed the inauguration of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s (RSLPF) mobile police station in Castries, stating, “We are advocating for dialogue and compromise, while some are calling for conflict.”
He clarified that employee benefits will be determined by the government’s financial capacity. “What the government can afford, the government will provide. We cannot squeeze blood from a stone,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Pierre reiterated the government’s dedication to increasing the number of officers in the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to more effectively address the increasing prevalence of criminal activity in the nation. He assured that “by June 2025, we will be recruiting 240 new officers to the force.”