The Trinidad and Tobago Police Social and Welfare Association (TTPSWA) is holding firm that the two per cent wage increase offered to public sector workers for eight years is “unfair and unrealistic.”
Not only has the association rejected the offer but it will be asking for much more when it meets with the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Dr Daryl Dindial this morning.
“The membership asked for 15 per cent for the first three years; 2014, 2015, 2016 and 12 per cent in the next three years; 2017, 2018, 2019,” Assistant Superintendent of Police (Ag) Gideon Dickson said.
The association is the first to meet with the CPO since his two per cent offer was made on May 19.
But while his members stand in solidarity with all other public sector workers, Dickson is certain they stand in a league of their own.
“We believe that we are deserving of a lot more, especially when you look at what we have been through and how much we have lost,” he explained.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday Dickson expressed that no comparator in any other sector of industry in this country can say that they had to work as hard within the last two years as the police.
He said the offer appears to be two per cent on paper, “but when you look at what it really entails it is really 0.165 per cent over eight years.”
He also pointed out that as of 2018, 843 police officers have retired and are receiving pensions equating to their basic salary from 2013.
“So we have officers on the verge of destitution and we also would be fighting for those officers,” he said.
Chief Personnel Officer, Commander Dr Daryl Dindial
OFFICE OF THE CPO
Notwithstanding this, Dickson said they are going in today to have good faith negotiations.
He said he has a question he wants the CPO to answer on behalf of the government.
“Two per cent has been placed on the table...that is the lower limit. We want to know what is the outer limit and we would also like to know on what basis the negotiations will rest,” Dickson asked.
The TTPSWA president also assured that while his members may be tempted to be agitated with the CPO’s position thus far, they remain committed to their oaths of office.
“My members also appreciate that we are the upholders of the law and we embrace that as professionals,” he added.
Dickson explained that he has been in contact with his members every step of the way informing them of the progress of the negotiations.
But one thing is for certain.
“We don’t want to have a long drawn out process but in the same breath we don’t want to be taken for granted,” he said.
He said unlike other sectors, police officers were out working particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said in the last two-and-a-half years they have had to deal with changing public health regulations, three elections, Carnival and a state of emergencies.
The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service Associations will meet with the CPO on June 13, daily-rated unions on June 15, the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association on June 17, the Public Services Association on June 21, and the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service Associations on June 24.