Correctional officers concerned over longstanding unaddressed issues left a meeting on Monday satisfied that the government would address their concerns.
The Correctional Services Welfare Association executive held the meeting with Home Affairs Minister Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte and other officials.
Last week, the Association sought a meeting with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
But Pierre, responsible for National Security, had to travel and instead arranged Monday’s session.
The Public Relations Officer of the Correctional Services Welfare Association, Yasmin Peter, said the meeting with the Home Affairs Minister was cordial.
“We left the meeting quite satisfied having been given the assurance that all of our concerns will be addressed,” Peter disclosed.
She explained that most of the concerns have financial implications.
As a result, the Association’s spokeswoman indicated that the government would adopt a short, medium, and long-term approach to addressing them.
Peter said the Home Affairs Minister tabled the correctional officers’ concerns at Monday’s regular Cabinet meeting.
She revealed that the Minister committed to addressing the outstanding issues.
“In good faith, the executive rests assured that relief is on the way for its members,” she stated.
“We continue to ask our membership to be patient as we await a favourable response from the cabinet and continue to perform their duties with due diligence and professionalism,” the Association PRO said.
Peter told St Lucia Times that some pressing issues included access to equipment, specifically radio communication, and inadequate staffing.
And she recalled that some matters date back to the collective agreement signed in August 2019.
Ms Peter, I hope the corrupt officers will be weeded out.
Re Article, The minister must play a better role in this situation, The workers situations should be dealt with Asap, the workers are trapped between Convicts and the Lark of equipments to keep themselves to the Convicts in a safe working environment, The workers deserves all the protection that they are Asking for,. and I endorse the workers standpoint.. Please let’s avoid a Riot.Too many Convicts in the facility and not enough equipment and workers to Facilitate the Joal situations.. We must address poverty by paying all workers better wages and more RESPECT..I endorse my thoughts and observations