Jackson wants gov't to urgently conclude police wage negotiation

Opposition Spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson says he's alarmed by the state of the salaries and benefits negotiations between the Government and the Jamaica Police Federation, which represents the country’s rank and file policemen and women.

Jackson is calling for the government to bring “this very untidy and untenable situation to a conclusion.”

“The treatment of the police officers was nothing short of disgraceful, especially at a time when they have been making extreme sacrifices to ensure the success of the States of Emergency (SOEs) and the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs),” Jackson charged.

Full Statement

The People’s National Party Shadow Minister of National Security, Mr. Fitz Jackson, is this afternoon expressing alarm at the state of the salaries and benefits negotiations between the government and the Jamaica Police Federation, representing the country’s rank and file policemen and women, and is calling for the government to bring this very untidy and untenable situation to a conclusion.

In a statement following a two-hour meeting with the Federation’s executive today, Mr. Jackson said it was clear that the government is not approaching the talks with sincerity as the negotiating team, led by the Minister of Finance and the Public was devoid of the requisite authority to advance the discussions which began in April 2017.

The PNP Shadow Minister said he was particularly disappointed to know that items of the claim to which the Minister had expressed agreement in the talks with the Federation, were subsequently rejected by cabinet. He said this was absolutely disrespectful of the collective bargaining process and therefore brings into question whether the government was ever interested in settling the police’s wage claim. “The only thing the police have received in the almost two years is an advance on salary which has not been agreed”, he said.

Mr. Jackson said the treatment of the police officers was nothing short of disgraceful, especially at a time when they have been making extreme sacrifices to ensure the success of the States of Emergency (SOEs) and the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs). He also discussed with the officers the effect of the long working hours on the membership of the security forces and expressed solidarity with them over reports that it was affecting both the JCF members and their families.
 
The PNP Shadow Minister also heard from the Federation Executive that the long hours of work prevent professional advancement, as many had to forego professional training opportunities. 

Mr. Jackson called for the government to immediately address the concerns of the Federation and take urgent action to correct these contentious matters which are affecting the morale and performance of the membership of the JCF.

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