Police Union Accuses Government of Bad Faith in Labor Negotiations, Demands Immediate Action on Pay and Conditions

The Police Benevolent Association (PBA) is accusing the Government of the Virgin Islands of bad faith bargaining and continued violations of the collective bargaining agreement, citing years of delays in addressing wages, step increases, and retroactive pay owed to officers since 2023. In a letter dated September 15, 2025, addressed to Governor Albert Bryan Jr., senior officials, and legislative leaders, PBA President Joel Browne Connors and St. Croix President Melford Murray detailed their frustration with what they described as a “pattern of delay, avoidance, and bad faith in the negotiation process.” “Despite repeated assurances from the Chief Negotiator, the Government has failed to provide meaningful responses regarding wages, retroactive pay, and step increases that have been owed since 2023,” the letter stated. Between February and September 2025, the union says it has been met only with excuses tied to court hearings, personal matters, and scheduling conflicts, leaving office...