THE wage dispute between the government and the Police Federation dragged on for another day yesterday, after the police failed to show for an afternoon meeting.

State Minister for Finance Fitz Jackson and officials from the Ministry of National Security turned up for the meeting at the police commissioner’s office, but representatives of the federation failed to show.

“There was no meeting. The federation called to indicate that they could not make it,” Jackson said last evening.

The Police Federation has called a meeting of its members for next week at the Elletson Road Police Sports Complex to discuss the latest in the salary negotiations.

The federation’s public relations officer Sergeant David White said the purpose of the meeting is to update delegates and to get a mandate on what further actions to be taken if they do not get a wage hike.

Meanwhile, the Island Special Constabulary Force Association (ISCFA) will be asking the court to determine if they are bound by the agreements of the public sector memorandum of understanding (MOU) although the police were not signatory to the document.

Government has insisted that it will not breach the MOU, which puts a three per cent cap on wages for public sector workers. The government, among the agreement of the MOU, promised not to trim staff in the public sector and keep inflation at single digit.

But chairman of the ISCFA Sergeant Christopher Bowen said his association, too, was not bound by the MOU as it did not sign the document.

“We will be going to the Supreme Court in this matter to ask the court to decide if the ISCFA can be bound by an agreement (MOU) which we have not signed,” Bowen said.

“We were not even invited by government to participate in the discussions so it is infradig to say that it is binding. We take that as an insult,” Bowen told the Observer.

The ISCFA, which has submitted a 22-point claim in salary and fringe benefits for the two-year period April 2004 to March 2006, is asking for a 60 per cent salary increase, with 35 per cent in year one and 25 per cent in year two.

However, government has declined to make them an offer.

“Our last negotiating meeting with the Ministry of Finance was on April 20 and government has still refused to make us an offer. We are awaiting a date to return to the bargaining table,” Bowen said.

“Allow us to avert the court action by settling with us because I can tell you it would be beneficial to both sides. Right now special constables are concerned and agitated,” said Bowen.

The members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is seeking a 47 per cent increase.

But although government is holding firm, Jackson indicated yesterday that the government was anxious to conclude negotiations with the cops.

“We want to conclude this. The earlier we can complete this discussion it is better for the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the public,” Jackson said. “I was prepared to go all night last night,” he said.

A number of members of the JCF have, for the last three days, been reporting sick as they press their demand for a wage increase.

However, the ISCFA chairman said his association did not support the work stoppage. “Our benefits are always accrued from taking court action. “We are working to the maximum

100 per cent and we will be guided by the ruling of the court. I have advised our members to give 110 per cent service. The 10 per cent is for their own safety,” said Bowen.