Torres: DOC personnel deserve pay raises

Torres

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres says the across-the-board pay raises he has allocated for agencies like the Department of Corrections using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act are well deserved, given the nature of their jobs.

The governor’s fiscal year 2023 budget plan proposes an across-the-board increase of 20% for full-time employees and department heads for various government agencies, including DOC.

In addressing those who criticize him for proposing what is being described as “a large increase” for an agency like DOC, Torres said he firmly believes these increases are warranted, given what the job entails, including the long shifts.

“DOC is probably one of the most stressful jobs there is. They’re in there 24 hours some days. They deal with inmates. They deserve to get their salary increased. To the critics out there, I challenge them to go in and try carrying out their work, to be in these officers’ position for eight-hour or 12-hour shifts and see if they don’t come out complaining about their salaries. So those critics, I challenge them, go in there and sit with them. Talk to the ones sitting in these positions and then come out and criticize. Because for me, I can’t do the things that they can do and the only thing I can do is give them the increase that they deserve,” he said.

Torres explained that the increases were proposed to maximize the CNMI’s ARPA funds and give salary increases to those whose salaries haven’t been adjusted in years.

“[That’s] why we continue to give pay increases to all of them, whether it’s through rate increases or salary adjustments. Some of these folks hasn’t [had a salary increase] for a long time. So in the last few years, I took it upon myself to give these personnel increases to show my appreciation because, at the end of the day, what’s good for their household is good for the community. They’ve worked so hard and now it’s our obligation to provide those increases and we have this opportunity now,” he said.

Aside from DOC personnel, employees of the Department of Public Safety, Department of Commerce, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Department of Finance, Department of Labor, Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works, and the offices of the Governor and Lt. Governor will see a significant increase in their current salaries if this proposal passes the Legislature.

MD: Gov. Ralph DLG Torres says that the across the board pay raises he has appropriated for agencies like Department of Corrections through ARPA funds are well deserved given the nature of the job.
Keywords: Torres, increase, DOC, Saipan