President of the Police Welfare Association (PWA), Cameron Laure has strongly criticised Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s move to increase pay for police officers, calling the move an “imposition” that disrespects the ongoing negotiation process.
Laure made the remarks to St Lucia Times on Wednesday morning, ahead of a general meeting with PWA members where he was due to address, among other things, concerns about the Prime Minister’s announcement the night before.
In a televised address, Pierre said that police officers and fortnightly paid workers represented by the National Workers Union (NWU) would receive their back pay with other public sector employees whose bargaining agents agreed to a 13 per cent pay increase, despite ongoing negotiations with the government.
He acknowledged that discussions between the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) — the body mandated to handle negotiations with unions — and the PWA the the NWU were still in progress and that he had instructed the GNT to resolve outstanding concerns as soon as possible.
However, Laure described the announcement as “gross disrespect”. He suggested that it was premature and inappropriate since the PWA had not reached an agreement on fringe benefits, which had to be completed before they moved on to salaries.
“We have not gotten to that point, and it is gross disrespect and disregard to the Police Welfare Association,” Laure told St Lucia Times. “Negotiations have not been concluded. We have not gotten to the point of addressing salaries and the proposal of a certain [percentage] by the employer, but it is going to be imposed.”
The PWA president added: “Even if we may have considered the salary hike favourably, it is not within the purview – because it has not been agreed to – for the prime minister to impose it.”
He also criticised what he described as contradictory behaviour from the prime minister. Laure noted that Pierre had previously assured the association that he would not interfere in the negotiation process.
“But he has gone past the GNT and imposed a salary hike,” he argued. “This behaviour is unacceptable and as the membership, we must send a clear message to the prime minister that we do not appreciate that behaviour. It is to the point of dictatorial…and it is unacceptable at best.”
Laure made it clear that the PWA membership would decide how to respond to the prime minister’s actions, and how the negotiations have affected them.
“Whether they’re stressed, whether they’re happy…. If they’re stressed, they will have to take measures to manage their stress,” he declared.
While other public sector unions under the Trade Union Federation (TUF) have accepted the government’s 13 per cent salary increase across two trienniums, the PWA and NWU have not signed off.
The GNT and TUF concluded negotiations last December for a six per cent pay increase for the 2022-2025 period and an additional seven per cent for 2025-2028.
The government announced that this week, it would disburse $79 million in back pay and pay increases to public sector workers between grades 1 and 18, covering the period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025.
Meanwhile, Laure acknowledged the “unprecedented” turnout at recent PWA meetings, both virtual and in person.
He encouraged police officers to remain engaged in discussions about their welfare.
It appears that EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS are lacking in St. Lucia. By the way I am neither SLP nor UWP – just saying – it’s also embarrassing to say the least.
Fringe benefits and salary are two different things. Wait a minute, does this guy believe that the various police grades will be receiving different salary from the rest of government employees? Absolutely NOT.
Considering the fact that the police officers do NOT show up to take police reports, DO not respond to requests for assistance for persons in danger; Do not answer the phones; Refuse to give their names and badge numbers when reports are made then mysteriously there is NO record of a police report upon follow up; They most likely DO NOT deserve any back pay. Pip is wrong for imposing salary increases when the work has not been done. Cameron Laure should focus on ensuring the police officers are actually doing the work they are supposed to rather than turning every issue into a political move for his own self serving interests. VERNE GARDE needs to audit the police stations around SLU and the officers who are NOT doing any work or ensuring safety.
Boy oh boy your egos will hurt you
Sometimes I wonder if those guys job is to be fair or to take advantage of government agencies for higher pay at the taxpayers expense. The police need to understand with higher pay they must have a level of respect to the public when serving and protecting are concerned.
Reporting if this is really the case – hello you folk can not be SERIOUS – this is a jacked up system to say the least —-
@PorpotKweyol February 19, 2025 At 2:37 pm
“Considering the fact that the police officers do NOT show up to take police reports, DO not respond to requests for assistance for persons in danger; Do not answer the phones; Refuse to give their names and badge numbers when reports are made then mysteriously there is NO record of a police report upon follow up; They most likely DO NOT deserve any back pay. Pip is wrong for imposing salary increases when the work has not been done. Cameron Laure should focus on ensuring the police officers are actually doing the work they are supposed to rather than turning every issue into a political move for his own self serving interests. VERNE GARDE needs to audit the police stations around SLU and the officers who are NOT doing any work or ensuring safety.”
Some people just don’t get it. What does Cameron mean by imposing salary increases? He knows damn well that all grades get the same salary. For example, a police at grade 5 cannot get a different salary from a clerk in the ministry of education. Their pay will be the same. So, I ask the question of Cameron, what does he think should be done about the salaries? Of course, he and his members (if he has the majority behind him) should continue to negotiate for fringe benefits and he should calm down from the vitriolic statement about “disrespect”.
I thought I heard Police and fortnightly workers who are represented by NWU, how did the PWA get in that?
Isn’t this an issue for NWU? From what I gathered, PWA officers weren’t referred to in the statement by the PM.
Its a shame how some of you all think.No wonder this country is in the mess it is today.The fact remains that although negotiations were concluded with the other unions it was not with the case of the Police and NWU whether it has to do with fringe benefits or not.We are a democratic country not communist and the PM has no right to behave in that manner he did full stop.
Popo is needed for every single function in this country any event they are needed. May not be effective in some cases but everybody happy to see them when bullets flying. I can’t believe people will speak out against these men and women getting a descent salary increase. I am not a police officer but I support them 1000%. I dislike C. Laure for personal reasons but I admire his fight for officers. Keep on keeeping on C. Laure….
I cannot believe that you all have a problem with an increase in wage for the police.These are men and women who leave their families behind everyday to risk their lives for us. You all people that talking that BS why dont you send your children to do it?Oh its too risky.With the high cost of living,you perfer them to get involve in illegal activities and still say they are corrupt.In an organisation you will get good and bad. I believe that majority of police officers are hard working people no doubt about it and they deserve better from government.Remember crime is not the business of the police alone,we all have our part to play. So stop this nonsense about the police dont deserve a wage increase.Also remember that their votes counts.