Some 30 DPS personnel, their families and friends gathered outside the legislative and administration buildings, holding banners and placards.
Sgt. James C. Deleon Guerrero, who acted as the group’s spokesman, said their action was not directed against anyone, nor were they supporting the pending lawsuit filed by some of their colleagues regarding DPS personnel issues.
“We’re just requesting that austerity measures be lifted,” Deleon Guerrero told reporters shortly after meeting with Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Attorney General Ed Buckingham, and the governor’s senior policy advisor, Ray Mafnas.
“The administration is open to their concerns and more than willing to address all issues with the Legislature,” said Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr. in an e-mail to the Variety.
The protesters gathered at a nearby baseball field as early as 7:30 a.m.
They then marched toward the administration building while holding banners and placards.
After standing for several minutes in front of the building, the group proceeded to the Legislature where they were met by lawmakers led by Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan.
Deleon Guerrero said DPS Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela requested them to call off their rally.
But he said the only thing that will change their minds is for the administration to lift the austerity measures as well as to revisit policies that are demoralizing their ranks.
At about 10:30 a.m., after meeting the legislators, the group returned to the administration building, where they were met by Mafnas who told the group to send in their representatives for a dialogue with the administration.
The group chanted: “What are we? Blue! What do we want? Promote and pay! When do we want it? Today!”
Some DPS personnel said their take-home pay remains at $13,000 annually although they have served DPS for several years now.
Many of them have also been ignored for lateral promotions apparently because there is no budget to support a higher pay scale.
The protesters said if the government can afford to hire consultants, employees like them should be paid equitably.
