Press Statement dated 18 April 2019
The Public Service Association (PSA), is alarmed by the irresponsible support for Police Officers to embark on an illegal strike. The Police Service is defined as an essential service under the Labour Relations Act. It is reckless of any trade union to put thousands of police officers’ careers on the line, by encouraging them to embark on an illegal strike, on conditions of service contained in the agreements, that the very same union had negotiated in the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC), which is the relevant bargaining structure.
“The PSA is currently not a party to the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC), although it does represent a substantial number of uniform personnel. The trade unions admitted to SSSBC had an ample opportunity to negotiate and ensure that such alleged illicit preferential promotions and malpractices are addressed, towards eradicating alleged corruption and financial benefits, to undeserving appointees. Beside crying over the self-negotiated agreement, the ideal avenue on the quarrel would still be to declare a dispute about the non-implementation of the signed agreements or approach the courts in these circumstances. The PSA is therefore calling on those current participants in the bargaining structure, to refrain from also putting the country at risk and to act consistently with the applicable legislations and policies and stop calling for illegal strikes,” said PSA General Manager Ivan Fredericks.
The PSA urges the Police authorities to intervene and resolve the alleged malpractices, to ensure that the Police Service is not compromised and keeps the moral high to ensure that capable, motivated staff in the sector, improve their crime combating commitment to the country, “said Mr. Fredericks.
Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)