PM Kamla to meet with police association; reports say 20% offer to be discussed

Reports say Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is expected to meet "soon" with the Police Social and Welfare Association but the details of the meeting are yet to be worked out and the parties have not yet agreed on a date.

Many police officers stayed away from work on Monday and Tuesday causing disruption to normal policing activities. And the sickout by most members of the Guard and Emergency Branch left the homes of the Prime Minister, AG and Chief Justice without adequate security.

National Security Minister John Sandy told reporters Thursday no action can be taken against the officers, because people are entitled to be sick. 

However he said he was disappointed by their action reiterated the point he made earlier in the week - that he would be more than happy to pay police money if he had the money.

“They are worth it, our officers are worth it," he said. He said Persad-Bissessar is eager to speak with them and “I know something good is going to come out of it.”

One newspaper report is speculating that the "good" will be 20 per cent wage increase for police. 

So far the Chief Personnel Officer's best offer is five per cent and the PM is on record as saying that it's the best that the government can do.

However the Newsday newspaper reported Friday that negotiations could start very soon on the revised offer, citing an unnamed source that said a Government minister met with an executive member of the Police Social and Welfare Association earlier in the week and made the better offer. The police are demanding a 40 per cent increase.
 
Newsday said the Prime Minister mandated the minister to meet with the executive member of the police association because she does not want to comprimse national security, especially during Carnival.

“The Prime Minister is very concerned that the safety and security of the country could be at risk if officers continue with sickout action, and she has indicated that she wants the grievances of the officers settled in quick time and we support her in this,” the paper quoted the government source as saying.

Newsday said the minister who met with the police representatives offered a 20 per cent wage increase and that the offer has had a favourable response so far. 

It said following Tuesday's meeting the president of the police association Sgt Anand Ramesar asked for a meeting with the PM to discuss the matter.