PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – On July 8, 2019 an informative meeting was held by NAPB, WICSU/PSU and ABVO for all members of the different unions.
Points of discussion:
Update regarding budget
- An update was given regarding the decision made during parliament about the budget debate and what it could means for members of the Police Force (KPSM).
- MP Mr. Rolando Brison attended the meeting and voluntarily explained, in great details to all members in attendance, why he took the initiative to make the National Ordinance. Further he explained that by creating this law it will ensure and secure the proceeds from the sale of United Telecommunications Services (UTS) for a number of things in the community, including addressing the salary issues of members of the Police Force (KPSM).
- Salaries have not been fixed since 10-10-10 despite several promises made to the members of the Police Force by the different Minister of Justice, former and present.
- Members of the Police Force are being hampered because these salary changes have not been made.
- The economy of Sint Maarten is rapidly growing and safety has played a big role in this MP Rolando Brison explained.
-Update regarding “Rechtpositie/ Functionboek 2019” - An update was also given regarding the Rechtpostie 2019 and the symbolic signing of the “Rechtpositie/ functieboek” which took place on June 3, 2019 since the process to update the 2016 Rechtposite began.
- That the CCSU/GOA, in a meeting on June 10 th 2019, with the Unions and stakeholders, informed the minister that, he did not go through the correct process, before his signing of the function book and recthpositie, of the June 3 rd 2019, where in turn he acknowledged the fact that it was not done, in the correct manner. So based on that what the minister did is not valid.
- The representatives went on to further explain that they will continue to enforce the “Recthpositie 2016” that has passed all legal channels but was not published in the “Afkondiging blad”.
- Because of the fact the the “Rechtpostie 2019”, which was made by the Minister of Justice and his cabinet, was not approved by the different legal channels the Unions are under the impression that the Minister of Justice is in the process of correcting the errors made by himself
and his cabinet, in order to know to do what needs to be done. - Up to now the minister has not had a decent meeting with the unions to outline what will be his next step for our members. Hereby the Unions refered on article 56 on the aproved convenant of 2016.
In closing the above mention Unions and its members would like to thank MP Mr. Rolando Brison for attending this informative meeting and voluntary taking the initiative to make the above mention National Ordinance that was also approved in parliament as well as taking the time to also understand our grievances and be part of the solution to this issue. The Unions and its members also would hereby extend words of thank you to our represententive in Parliament to feel the need of the ones who are the first line of defense in this country. These member despite what they are going thru right now, always had continue protect and serve. But do not take their loyalty for granted. They risk their lives every day…. Nobody knows what they go through in private or public. Bu most of the time criticize and bring down their greatness. Every Organization has their bad apples, but let that not damper the purpose. But yet nobody cared for them since 2010. Now stop playing games with these people and gave them what they deserve and due to them. They earned the public respect by staying humble, protect and serve all these years and still doing it. Stop waiting when they are no longer here to give them their raise and promotions. Justice and Education are the most powerfull areas in society. They should never be neglected. These people have humbled themselves for too long and go out there and do a fantastic job, that most do not have to courage to do.
Peace and prayers our Blue Family
