By NALINEE SEELAL Wednesday, December 5 2012

The Police, Social and Welfare Association executive will today sign an agreement with Chief Personnel Officer Stephanie Lewis to seal an agreement for the acceptance of a nine percent increase for the period 2008-2010.

The signing is expected to take place at the CPO’s office at 2 pm.

Yesterday confirmation of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding came from the President of the Police Association, Sgt Anand Ramesar, who said that the signing will signal the end of salary negotiations for the period 2008-2010, and the acceptance of the nine percent increase offered by the CPO.

He added that the matter will then be withdrawn from the Industrial Court.

“The members are elated that after a long battle with negotiations they feel vindicated with their struggle, as most of their counterparts from the Fire and Prisons accepted a five percent increase.”

He added that the challenge of the organisation is to process the years of income for officers, and in a recent conversation with head of the Police Finance Branch he revealed he has sufficient staff on standby to process the quick completion of the back pay and new salaries.

He also revealed he expects the new back pay to be made available at the end of January, and officers will receive their back pay in time for Carnival.

He said that the period for processing the back pay and new salary could not be possible for Christmas, but he urged officers to exercise patience and still enjoy the Yuletide season.