Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre has responded to the disquiet within the Police Welfare Association (PWA) about the government’s proposed 13 per cent wage increase over a six-year period. Speaking on Monday, he assured that his administration remains open to ongoing discussions with the PWA, without conflict.
PWA President Cameron Laure has publicly opposed the proposed wage increase, citing unresolved issues related to fringe benefits and the extended six-year negotiation period. He argued that the proposal does not adequately address the concerns of the association’s members.
However, dissent within the PWA itself has emerged, as some members have voiced support for the 13 per cent increase announced by Pierre last week, St. Lucia Times understands.
Prime Minister Pierre says an amicable negotiation between the government’s team and the PWA could lead to a mutually beneficial result.
“Although some people are calling for war, we’re not calling for war. We’re calling for discussion. We’re calling for compromise,” he said while addressing the launch of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force’s (RSLPF) mobile police station in Castries.
The prime minister further pointed out that employee benefits are determined by the government’s financial capacity.
“What the government can afford, the government will give. The government will not be able to take blood out of stone,” he said.
Pierre also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in the RSLPF’s manpower to improve their chances of managing the crime situation.
“By June next year, there’ll be 80 more police recruits. If we can do another 80 in January 2026, we can have about 240 new policemen in the system.
“You can call them replacement policemen, no matter what you want to call them, we’re going to put 240 new boots on the ground,” the prime minister vowed.
