Corrections officers to see ARPA-funded $500 pay raise
By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia announced on Thursday that starting in July, the members of the Custody Officers Corps of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation will receive a monthly increase of $500 paid for with federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“I continue to identify federal funds that we have available in order to provide salary justice to public servants, especially in the education, security and health sectors,” the governor said in a written statement. “I recognize the salary demand of our employees and I am taking care of it. We will be looking for the recurring economic resources that allow us to continue the established long-term commitment.”
The Corrections salary increase will be in addition to the 15 percent increase that was authorized by the Federal Oversight and Management Board. Pierluisi promised to increase the salary of the more than 4,000 public servants who work in the island’s prison institutions, and to that end he asked the oversight board for an increase for correctional officers. The board approved a 10% increase to begin in July and another 5% hike in January 2023, in compliance with the electronic assistance system.
The governor added that the central government continues to work hard on the Reclassification and Uniform Remuneration Plan that will go into force as of January 2023 and will provide salary increases to thousands of public employees.
The United Public Servants Union, the United Correctional Alliance Correction and Rehabilitation Secretary Ana Escobar Pabón will continue discussions to establish strategies that help continue to deliver salary justice to the agency’s public servants, Escobar Pabón said.