Public Service Week Faces Staff Boycott
Public officers reportedly boycotted Public Service Week events in protest over a controversial salary revision that awarded large increases to some senior officials while many civil servants received little or no raise. The anonymous source told Virgin Islands News Online the action included avoiding sporting events and an awards ceremony and that further steps, including formal letters to the Governor and a potential sick-out, are being considered.
Public Service Week events in the Virgin Islands were reportedly the target of an organised boycott by public officers unhappy with a recent salary revision that, they say, favours senior officials and politicians over rank-and-file civil servants. A public officer who spoke anonymously to Virgin Islands News Online said a flyer circulated on WhatsApp urged staff to boycott activities such as basketball, volleyball, track and field, and dominoes throughout the week.
The source said the action began on Sunday and ran through the week, adding that yesterday's awards ceremony on October 9, 2025, was poorly attended. The protest follows revelations in the 2024 Audit Report, which staff say showed “hefty raises” for some senior officials and politicians — in some cases increases of up to $100,000 — while many public servants saw no raise or only a marginal increase. "Politicians are entitled to a raise, everybody is entitled to a raise, but I think their raise was excessive, given the fact that some civil servants did not receive a raise," the public officer said.
Concerns include disparities across grades and experience. The source claimed new hires in some instances are receiving the same pay as long-serving employees with decades of service, and that middle-grade officers and long-serving staff saw little to no notable increases. The source also said the salary revision discontinued automatic increments and moved employees to a new performance-based scale.
Past increments owed to staff, the source said, were promised to be paid in 2027 — the same year general elections are due. "It's almost impossible to get an increment under the new structure… the bar is set so high," the officer said, adding that the new system could lock many employees into their current salaries for years.
Public officers plan to submit a formal letter to Governor Daniel Pruce outlining their concerns, the source said, and teachers are also preparing to raise issues. The source alleged the Deputy Governor has been unresponsive to correspondence. Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D.
Wheatley told reporters on October 3 he was unaware of boycott plans and encouraged staff to use established channels to raise grievances. Archer Jr. did not comment when contacted about awareness of the boycott. With talk of further action, including a potential sick-out if demands are not addressed, the dispute raises immediate questions about staff morale and possible impacts on public services in the Territory.
Primary source: VINO